Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from London to Zurich. While the left side has a decent takeoff view over the Weald, the right side delivers the standout moment of the flight: Lake Zurich and the distant Alps on descent. Over the Channel and northern France the views are broadly similar on both sides, but the right side also picks up the Rhine valley and parts of the Black Forest during the cruise phase as the route tracks southeast over France and into Switzerland.

During takeoff from Gatwick (LGW), sit on the Left side for the best views. Gatwick's main departure runway 26L sends aircraft on a westerly heading before turning southeast toward the continent. The left side picks up the North Downs ridge and the sprawl of the Surrey Hills, plus a clear view back over the Weald toward the South Downs. Right side faces north toward suburban Crawley with little of interest. Notable sights include: Surrey Hills AONB, the Weald valley, South Downs ridge to the south, Crawley town below.

When landing at Zurich (ZRH), sit on the Right side for the best views. Zurich typically uses runway 14 or 28 depending on wind. On the common approach to runway 14 from the northwest, the right side faces south and east, giving a direct view of Lake Zurich stretching away toward the Alps, with the Glarus Alps and Glarner Alps visible on the horizon. The left side faces north over the Swiss Plateau toward Germany with far less drama. Notable sights include: Lake Zurich (Zürichsee), the Glarus Alps on the horizon, the Swiss Plateau farmland, Zurich city center along the lake shore.

The flight from Gatwick (LGW) to Zurich (ZRH) takes Approximately 1 hour 45 minutes.

English Channel crossing near Dieppe, then tracking over the Île-de-France region and Champagne plains, crossing into Germany or Alsace near the Rhine, the Black Forest (Schwarzwald) visible to the north, then descending over the Swiss Plateau with the Jura hills to the northwest and the Alps emerging to the south