The left side wins overall because the landing approach into Wilson delivers genuinely spectacular views of the Ngong Hills and Nairobi's skyline simultaneously, which outweighs the modest advantage of the right side at Gatwick. Mid-flight over the Nile Valley and East African Rift also slightly favours the left side heading southbound.
Flown LGW to WIL? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
London to Nairobi is 4,223 miles (6,797 km), a flight of about 8 hours 30 minutes.
The route tracks southeast over France and the Alps (visible on the left early in the flight), then crosses the Mediterranean near Sicily, overflies Egypt and the Nile Delta, follows the Nile Valley south over Sudan, crosses into Ethiopia over the Ethiopian Highlands, then descends into Kenya over the East African Rift Valley. The Nile corridor and the Ethiopian Highlands are the most visually dramatic mid-flight features, typically visible in daylight on this routing.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from LGW
RIGHTGatwick's main runway 26L departure heads west-northwest, so the right (north) side gets views over the Surrey Hills and the London skyline in the distance. The left side faces south toward the relatively featureless Weald of Sussex.
Landing at WIL
LEFTWilson Airport sits on the southwestern edge of Nairobi, and approaches typically come in from the east or northeast. A left-side seat gives views over central Nairobi's skyline and the Ngong Hills to the southwest as you descend, while the right side faces toward the open Athi Plains.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Gatwick (LGW) to Nairobi Wilson (WIL)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from London to Nairobi. The left side wins overall because the landing approach into Wilson delivers genuinely spectacular views of the Ngong Hills and Nairobi's skyline simultaneously, which outweighs the modest advantage of the right side at Gatwick. Mid-flight over the Nile Valley and East African Rift also slightly favours the left side heading southbound.
What can I see during takeoff from Gatwick in London?
During takeoff from Gatwick (LGW), sit on the Right side for the best views. Gatwick's main runway 26L departure heads west-northwest, so the right (north) side gets views over the Surrey Hills and the London skyline in the distance. The left side faces south toward the relatively featureless Weald of Sussex. Notable sights include: Surrey Hills AONB, Crawley town below, M23 motorway corridor, distant London skyline to the north.
What can I see when landing at Nairobi Wilson in Nairobi?
When landing at Nairobi Wilson (WIL), sit on the Left side for the best views. Wilson Airport sits on the southwestern edge of Nairobi, and approaches typically come in from the east or northeast. A left-side seat gives views over central Nairobi's skyline and the Ngong Hills to the southwest as you descend, while the right side faces toward the open Athi Plains. Notable sights include: Nairobi city centre skyline, Ngong Hills ridge to the southwest, Nairobi National Park savannah, Karen and Langata suburbs.
How long is the flight from London to Nairobi?
The flight from Gatwick (LGW) to Nairobi Wilson (WIL) takes about 8 hours 30 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 4,223 miles (6,797 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the London to Nairobi flight path pass over?
The route tracks southeast over France and the Alps (visible on the left early in the flight), then crosses the Mediterranean near Sicily, overflies Egypt and the Nile Delta, follows the Nile Valley south over Sudan, crosses into Ethiopia over the Ethiopian Highlands, then descends into Kenya over the East African Rift Valley. The Nile corridor and the Ethiopian Highlands are the most visually dramatic mid-flight features, typically visible in daylight on this routing.