Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from London to Dubai. The right side wins overall because the London departure view is genuinely spectacular and hard to beat — the Thames, the city grid, and the transition from urban England to countryside is one of the best departure views in Europe. The right side also tracks the Alps from a reasonable angle over central Europe and picks up the Zagros Mountains of Iran in the cruise. The landing advantage on the left is real but shorter in duration.

During takeoff from Heathrow (LHR), sit on the Right side for the best views. Heathrow typically departs eastbound on runways 09L/09R, so a right-side seat faces south over central London as the aircraft climbs and turns southeast. You get a clear view of the Thames snaking through the city, with the dense urban grid of southwest London directly below before the aircraft tracks toward the Channel. Notable sights include: River Thames through central London, Windsor Castle and Great Park to the west during initial climb, the M25 orbital motorway ring, Wembley Stadium arch visible to the north.

When landing at Dubai International (DXB), sit on the Left side for the best views. Dubai International's primary arrival runway is 12L/12R, with aircraft approaching from the northwest over the desert and city. A left-side seat gives you the Dubai Creek, Deira district, and the older city fabric on approach, while the right side faces the open desert. On the less common runway 30 approach, left still captures the coastline and Palm Jumeirah. Notable sights include: Dubai Creek and Deira district, Downtown Dubai skyline including Burj Khalifa, Palm Jumeirah visible to the southwest, the geometric grid of Dubai's newer districts.

The flight from Heathrow (LHR) to Dubai International (DXB) takes Approximately 6 hours 45 minutes to 7 hours 15 minutes.

The route tracks southeast over France, crossing the Alps near the Mont Blanc massif visible as a white mountain cluster, then over northern Italy or the Adriatic depending on routing. The aircraft crosses Greece and the Aegean Sea with its island chains visible on clear days. It then transits Turkey and enters Iranian airspace over the Zagros Mountain range, a dramatic series of parallel folded ridges clearly visible from altitude. The route descends over the Persian Gulf, crossing the UAE coastline before landing at Dubai.