About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Heathrow (LHR) to Cairo International (CAI)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from London to Cairo. Right side wins both ends of the flight. During the cruise over the Mediterranean and Greece, the right side also gets better views of the Greek islands and Aegean coastline as the route tracks southeast. Left side has little advantage at any stage of this routing.
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 gives you views south over central London as the aircraft climbs and turns southeast. You'll see the Thames snaking through the city, with recognizable landmarks clearly visible before the aircraft heads out over the Channel. Notable sights include: River Thames through central London, Wembley Stadium arch (northwest, receding), Windsor Castle and Great Park (briefly to the right before turn), M25 motorway ring.
What can I see when landing at Cairo International in Cairo?
When landing at Cairo International (CAI), sit on the Right side for the best views. Cairo International sits northeast of the city centre, and aircraft typically approach from the north or northeast on runway 05C/05R heading southwest. A right-side seat on approach gives views over the Nile Delta and the city, with the Pyramids of Giza visible to the southwest across the city if visibility is good. Notable sights include: Nile Delta agricultural patchwork, Cairo urban sprawl along the Nile, Pyramids of Giza on the desert edge (distant, southwest), transition from green Delta farmland to desert.
How long is the flight from London to Cairo?
The flight from Heathrow (LHR) to Cairo International (CAI) takes Approximately 4 hours 45 minutes to 5 hours 15 minutes.
What does the London to Cairo flight path pass over?
The route tracks southeast from London over France, then across the Alps (visible as a white mountain mass in winter), over northern Italy or the Adriatic, across Greece and the Aegean Sea with its scattered islands, then over the eastern Mediterranean before descending into Egypt. The sharp green-to-desert color transition of the Nile Delta is one of the most visually striking geographic boundaries on the entire route.