Although London and Kuala Lumpur give the left side strong bookend views, the right side wins overall because it faces the Zagros Mountains, the Arabian Peninsula coastline, the Arabian Sea, and the Bay of Bengal for most of the 12+ hour cruise, offering far more dramatic and varied terrain over the bulk of this long flight.
Flight Path
The flight's midpoint falls near the Iran-Pakistan border, where the arid Iranian plateau and the Makran coastal range give way to the Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea to the south.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from LHR
LEFTOn Heathrow's typical westerly departure, eastbound flights climb out toward Windsor before curving north and east, putting the Thames, Windsor Castle, and the Central London skyline on the left side of the aircraft during the initial climb.
Landing at KUL
LEFTArriving into KUL from the north during the Northeast Monsoon approach, left-side passengers get a view of the Kuala Lumpur skyline, including the Petronas Towers, with the forested Titiwangsa mountain range visible inland before the final turn onto the runway.
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 Kuala Lumpur International (KUL)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from London to Kuala Lumpur. Although London and Kuala Lumpur give the left side strong bookend views, the right side wins overall because it faces the Zagros Mountains, the Arabian Peninsula coastline, the Arabian Sea, and the Bay of Bengal for most of the 12+ hour cruise, offering far more dramatic and varied terrain over the bulk of this long flight.
What can I see during takeoff from Heathrow in London?
During takeoff from Heathrow (LHR), sit on the Left side for the best views. On Heathrow's typical westerly departure, eastbound flights climb out toward Windsor before curving north and east, putting the Thames, Windsor Castle, and the Central London skyline on the left side of the aircraft during the initial climb. Notable sights include: River Thames, Windsor Castle, Central London skyline (Shard, Canary Wharf), Home Counties farmland.
What can I see when landing at Kuala Lumpur International in Kuala Lumpur?
When landing at Kuala Lumpur International (KUL), sit on the Left side for the best views. Arriving into KUL from the north during the Northeast Monsoon approach, left-side passengers get a view of the Kuala Lumpur skyline, including the Petronas Towers, with the forested Titiwangsa mountain range visible inland before the final turn onto the runway. Notable sights include: Kuala Lumpur skyline (Petronas Towers, KL Tower), Titiwangsa mountain range, Klang Valley urban sprawl, palm oil plantations.
How long is the flight from London to Kuala Lumpur?
The flight from Heathrow (LHR) to Kuala Lumpur International (KUL) takes 12h 40m.
What does the London to Kuala Lumpur flight path pass over?
The flight's midpoint falls near the Iran-Pakistan border, where the arid Iranian plateau and the Makran coastal range give way to the Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea to the south.