London to Frankfurt flight pathLHRFRA

Sit on the left side of the plane

Reverse

Which side of the plane?

Pick the window seat with the view. 13,500 routes answered — landmarks, coastlines and cities, wing by wing.

Flight time1h 55m
Distance406
Heading101° → 108°
Best side
Left

Left side wins both ends of the flight. During the cruise over Belgium and western Germany the left side also faces slightly more southward, keeping the Ardennes and Eifel uplands in view as subtle rolling terrain features. It is the consistently better side for the whole journey.

Takeoff · LHRLEFTThames River bends through West London, Canary Wharf towers on the eastern horizon, Windsor Castle and Great Park to the west before turning
Landing · FRALEFTFrankfurt city skyline, Rhine River to the southwest, Taunus hill range to the north

Flight Path

Flight path overview

The route crosses the English Channel near Calais, then tracks over Belgium passing near Brussels, crosses into Germany over the Eifel uplands and Rhine Valley near Koblenz, then descends across the Rhine-Main plain toward Frankfurt. The Rhine Gorge between Koblenz and Bingen may be briefly visible on clear days, and the Ardennes plateau appears as gently rolling forested terrain over central Belgium.

Great circle distance and headings ›

Phase by phase

Aerial window seat view during takeoff from London (left side) — Thames River bends through West London, Canary Wharf towers on the eastern horizon, Windsor Castle and Great Park to the west before turning, Wembley Stadium arch visible to the north

Takeoff from LHR

LEFT

Heathrow typically departs eastbound on runways 09L/09R, meaning a left-side seat faces north over central London. You get a clear view of the Thames snaking through the city, the dense urban grid of West London, and on clear days the Canary Wharf cluster and City of London skyline in the distance. Right side faces south toward Surrey suburbs with far less to see.

Thames River bends through West LondonCanary Wharf towers on the eastern horizonWindsor Castle and Great Park to the west before turningWembley Stadium arch visible to the north
Aerial window seat view during landing at Frankfurt (left side) — Frankfurt city skyline (Bankenviertel skyscrapers), Rhine River to the southwest, Taunus hill range to the north, Main River winding through the city

Landing at FRA

LEFT

Frankfurt typically lands westbound on runways 25L/25C/25R, so the aircraft approaches from the east. A left-side seat faces south, giving views over the Taunus hills north of Frankfurt and the Rhine-Main plain. Right side faces north into less distinctive flat terrain. On the approach you can also see the Frankfurt skyline directly ahead-left before touchdown.

Frankfurt city skylineRhine River to the southwestTaunus hill range to the northMain River winding through the city

Will your flight be in sunlight?

See exactly which side of the plane gets sun and shade at your departure time.

About This Route

Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Heathrow (LHR) to Frankfurt Main (FRA)?

Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from London to Frankfurt. Left side wins both ends of the flight. During the cruise over Belgium and western Germany the left side also faces slightly more southward, keeping the Ardennes and Eifel uplands in view as subtle rolling terrain features. It is the consistently better side for the whole journey.

What can I see during takeoff from Heathrow in London?

During takeoff from Heathrow (LHR), sit on the Left side for the best views. Heathrow typically departs eastbound on runways 09L/09R, meaning a left-side seat faces north over central London. You get a clear view of the Thames snaking through the city, the dense urban grid of West London, and on clear days the Canary Wharf cluster and City of London skyline in the distance. Right side faces south toward Surrey suburbs with far less to see. Notable sights include: Thames River bends through West London, Canary Wharf towers on the eastern horizon, Windsor Castle and Great Park to the west before turning, Wembley Stadium arch visible to the north.

What can I see when landing at Frankfurt Main in Frankfurt?

When landing at Frankfurt Main (FRA), sit on the Left side for the best views. Frankfurt typically lands westbound on runways 25L/25C/25R, so the aircraft approaches from the east. A left-side seat faces south, giving views over the Taunus hills north of Frankfurt and the Rhine-Main plain. Right side faces north into less distinctive flat terrain. On the approach you can also see the Frankfurt skyline directly ahead-left before touchdown. Notable sights include: Frankfurt city skyline (Bankenviertel skyscrapers), Rhine River to the southwest, Taunus hill range to the north, Main River winding through the city.

How long is the flight from London to Frankfurt?

The flight from Heathrow (LHR) to Frankfurt Main (FRA) takes Approximately 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours.

What does the London to Frankfurt flight path pass over?

The route crosses the English Channel near Calais, then tracks over Belgium passing near Brussels, crosses into Germany over the Eifel uplands and Rhine Valley near Koblenz, then descends across the Rhine-Main plain toward Frankfurt. The Rhine Gorge between Koblenz and Bingen may be briefly visible on clear days, and the Ardennes plateau appears as gently rolling forested terrain over central Belgium.