Across the long Eurasian crossing, the right-hand side faces the more dramatic terrain to the south of the flight path — the Ural foothills, the Altai and Mongolian highlands, and eventually the Korean peninsula's mountainous terrain and coastline on approach — while the left side spends most of the cruise over flat Siberian taiga and Arctic-adjacent tundra with little visual variety.
Flown LHR to GMP? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
London to Seoul is 5,510 miles (8,868 km), a flight of about 10 hours 50 minutes.
Ural Mountains, Siberian taiga and river systems (Ob, Yenisei), Altai Mountains near the Mongolian border, Gobi Desert margins
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from LHR
RIGHTHeathrow's westerly departure turns the aircraft north shortly after takeoff, and during that turn the right side offers a brief but clear view back over London's skyline and the Thames before the route heads out over East Anglia toward the North Sea. The left side mostly shows the flat, unremarkable countryside of Berkshire and the Midlands.
Landing at GMP
RIGHTOn approach into Gimpo from the south over the Yellow Sea, the final turn typically brings Seoul's dense skyline, the Han River, and the mountain ridges north of the city (Bukhansan) into view on the right side of the aircraft. The left side mainly faces open water and Incheon's flatter coastal industrial zone.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Heathrow (LHR) to Gimpo (GMP)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from London to Seoul. Across the long Eurasian crossing, the right-hand side faces the more dramatic terrain to the south of the flight path — the Ural foothills, the Altai and Mongolian highlands, and eventually the Korean peninsula's mountainous terrain and coastline on approach — while the left side spends most of the cruise over flat Siberian taiga and Arctic-adjacent tundra with little visual variety.
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's westerly departure turns the aircraft north shortly after takeoff, and during that turn the right side offers a brief but clear view back over London's skyline and the Thames before the route heads out over East Anglia toward the North Sea. The left side mostly shows the flat, unremarkable countryside of Berkshire and the Midlands. Notable sights include: Thames Estuary, London skyline (The Shard, City of London), North Sea coast near Norfolk.
What can I see when landing at Gimpo in Seoul?
When landing at Gimpo (GMP), sit on the Right side for the best views. On approach into Gimpo from the south over the Yellow Sea, the final turn typically brings Seoul's dense skyline, the Han River, and the mountain ridges north of the city (Bukhansan) into view on the right side of the aircraft. The left side mainly faces open water and Incheon's flatter coastal industrial zone. Notable sights include: Han River, Seoul skyline (Lotte World Tower), Bukhansan mountain ridge, Yellow Sea coastline.
How long is the flight from London to Seoul?
The flight from Heathrow (LHR) to Gimpo (GMP) takes about 10 hours 50 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 5,510 miles (8,868 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the London to Seoul flight path pass over?
Ural Mountains, Siberian taiga and river systems (Ob, Yenisei), Altai Mountains near the Mongolian border, Gobi Desert margins