The left side wins on both ends of the flight: Windsor Castle and the Thames valley during the departure turn, and a dramatic Alps-and-Lake-Geneva view during the final approach turn onto runway 22, while the right side mostly shows flat French farmland during cruise.
Flight Path
The route crosses northern France over Picardy and the Champagne region near Reims, then the rolling farmland of Burgundy, before the terrain rises into the Jura foothills just ahead of the descent into Geneva.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from LHR
LEFTWith Heathrow's usual westerly departures, southeast-bound flights bank south fairly quickly after takeoff, putting Windsor Castle and the Thames valley below the left side before the aircraft tracks on toward the Sussex countryside and the Channel coast.
Landing at GVA
LEFTGeneva's approach to runway 22 comes in from the northeast, and the final turn toward the southwest touchdown swings the Alps into view on the left, with Mont Blanc's snowy massif rising beyond Lake Geneva.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Heathrow (LHR) to Geneva Cointrin (GVA)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from London to Geneva. The left side wins on both ends of the flight: Windsor Castle and the Thames valley during the departure turn, and a dramatic Alps-and-Lake-Geneva view during the final approach turn onto runway 22, while the right side mostly shows flat French farmland during cruise.
What can I see during takeoff from Heathrow in London?
During takeoff from Heathrow (LHR), sit on the Left side for the best views. With Heathrow's usual westerly departures, southeast-bound flights bank south fairly quickly after takeoff, putting Windsor Castle and the Thames valley below the left side before the aircraft tracks on toward the Sussex countryside and the Channel coast. Notable sights include: Windsor Castle, River Thames, Surrey/Sussex countryside, English Channel coastline near Brighton.
What can I see when landing at Geneva Cointrin in Geneva?
When landing at Geneva Cointrin (GVA), sit on the Left side for the best views. Geneva's approach to runway 22 comes in from the northeast, and the final turn toward the southwest touchdown swings the Alps into view on the left, with Mont Blanc's snowy massif rising beyond Lake Geneva. Notable sights include: Mont Blanc massif, Lake Geneva (Lac Léman), Jura foothills, Geneva cityscape.
How long is the flight from London to Geneva?
The flight from Heathrow (LHR) to Geneva Cointrin (GVA) takes 1h 45m.
What does the London to Geneva flight path pass over?
The route crosses northern France over Picardy and the Champagne region near Reims, then the rolling farmland of Burgundy, before the terrain rises into the Jura foothills just ahead of the descent into Geneva.