About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Heathrow (LHR) to Chhatrapati Shivaji International (BOM)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from London to Bombay. Right side wins both the departure and arrival phases with the most visually interesting urban and coastal geography. During the cruise, the right side also faces generally south, keeping the Hindu Kush and Afghan highlands on the left, but the right side picks up the Iranian plateau and the Gulf of Oman coastline as the route descends toward India.
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 typically departs eastbound on runways 09L/09R, meaning a right-side seat faces south over central London. You get a clear view of the Thames snaking through the city, with recognisable bends at Battersea, Westminster, and the City of London visible during the climb-out. Left side faces north over suburban Middlesex with little of interest. Notable sights include: Thames river bends through central London, Wembley Stadium arch, Windsor Castle and Great Park to the west before turning, Canary Wharf tower cluster on the Isle of Dogs.
What can I see when landing at Chhatrapati Shivaji International in Bombay?
When landing at Chhatrapati Shivaji International (BOM), sit on the Right side for the best views. Mumbai's runway 27 approach (the most common westerly landing) brings aircraft in from the east over the harbour, and a right-side seat faces north, giving a view over the city peninsula, Marine Drive's curved seafront, and the dense urban fabric of South Mumbai. Left side faces south over the Arabian Sea with little to see. Notable sights include: Marine Drive crescent along Back Bay, South Mumbai peninsula and Malabar Hill, Mumbai Harbour and Thane Creek, Dharavi and the dense central city grid.
How long is the flight from London to Bombay?
The flight from Heathrow (LHR) to Chhatrapati Shivaji International (BOM) takes Approximately 9 to 10 hours.
What does the London to Bombay flight path pass over?
The route tracks southeast over continental Europe, then crosses Turkey and the Anatolian plateau, passes south of the Caucasus, crosses Iran over the Zagros Mountains and the central Iranian desert, skirts the northern edge of the Gulf of Oman, crosses the Pakistani coast near Karachi, and descends over the Deccan Plateau toward Mumbai. The Zagros range in western Iran and the barren Dasht-e Kavir salt desert of central Iran are the most visually striking mid-flight features on clear days.