About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Heathrow (LHR) to The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International (ATL)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from London to Atlanta. The right side wins overall because the Heathrow departure offers genuinely iconic and immediately recognizable landmarks like Windsor Castle in the first few minutes of flight. The Atlanta landing view from the left is good but the skyline is relatively modest. For the transatlantic cruise phase, both sides see open ocean, so the departure experience tips the balance to the right.
What can I see during takeoff from Heathrow in London?
During takeoff from Heathrow (LHR), sit on the Right side for the best views. Heathrow departures heading west on runway 27L/27R give the right side a clear view over Windsor Castle and the Thames valley as the aircraft climbs and turns northwest. The right side tracks the river and the western suburbs of London before the aircraft heads out over the Chilterns. Notable sights include: Windsor Castle and Windsor Great Park, River Thames bends near Staines, Wraysbury Reservoir complex, M25 motorway interchange at Heathrow.
What can I see when landing at The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International in Atlanta?
When landing at The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International (ATL), sit on the Left side for the best views. Atlanta's primary arrival runways from the northeast (08L/08R or 09L/09R) bring aircraft in from the north, and the left side looks south and southwest over the downtown Atlanta skyline as the aircraft descends. You get a clear view of the cluster of skyscrapers and the distinctive Peachtree corridor before touchdown. Notable sights include: Downtown Atlanta skyline including Bank of America Plaza and Westin Peachtree, Stone Mountain visible to the east on the horizon, Chattahoochee River valley to the northwest, I-285 perimeter highway loop.
How long is the flight from London to Atlanta?
The flight from Heathrow (LHR) to The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International (ATL) takes Approximately 9 to 9.5 hours westbound.
What does the London to Atlanta flight path pass over?
The great circle route from Heathrow to Atlanta tracks northwest over Ireland and then across the North Atlantic, passing south of Greenland and Iceland. The route then crosses Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada, where the Laurentian Highlands and countless lakes are visible on clear days. Descending into the eastern US, the Appalachian Mountains appear as parallel ridgelines running northeast to southwest across the Carolinas and Georgia before the terrain flattens into the Piedmont approaching Atlanta.