About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Heathrow (LHR) to Helsinki Vantaa (HEL)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from London to Helsinki. The right side delivers the London departure spectacle which is the visual highlight of this route. The mid-flight and arrival views are broadly similar in quality from either side, but the Thames and London skyline on departure from the right seat is the most memorable single moment of the journey.
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 dominant departure runway 27L/27R sends aircraft westward before turning northeast. A right-side seat captures the Thames corridor, central London skyline, and the City as the aircraft banks left toward the northeast. The left side faces away from the city toward the Berkshire countryside. Notable sights include: Thames River bend at Kew/Richmond, City of London skyline with The Shard and Canary Wharf towers, Windsor Castle and Great Park to the southwest, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park area as the aircraft tracks northeast.
What can I see when landing at Helsinki Vantaa in Helsinki?
When landing at Helsinki Vantaa (HEL), sit on the Left side for the best views. Helsinki Vantaa's most common landing approaches are on runways 22L/22R (from the northeast) or 04R/04L (from the southwest). On the typical northeast approach, a left-side seat looks south over the Helsinki city peninsula, the archipelago of the Gulf of Finland, and Suomenlinna island fortress. The right side faces inland toward forest and lake terrain. Notable sights include: Helsinki city peninsula and harbour, Gulf of Finland archipelago with hundreds of small islands, Suomenlinna sea fortress island, Espoo coastline to the west.
How long is the flight from London to Helsinki?
The flight from Heathrow (LHR) to Helsinki Vantaa (HEL) takes Approximately 3 hours.
What does the London to Helsinki flight path pass over?
The route tracks northeast over the North Sea, crossing the Danish coast near Jutland, then over southern Sweden through Skåne and the Swedish lake district. The Øresund strait between Denmark and Sweden is visible as a narrow channel. Southern Sweden's forests and frozen lakes dominate the latter half of the overland section before the descent over the Finnish archipelago.