Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from London to Malta. While the right side wins at takeoff, the left side delivers the better overall experience. It captures the Alps crossing (Mont Blanc and the western Alpine chain appear as a dramatic snow-covered ridge on the left side as you track southeast over France), and then the Grand Harbour arrival into Malta is genuinely one of the most spectacular short-final approaches in Europe.

During takeoff from Heathrow (LHR), sit on the Right side for the best views. Heathrow departures heading southeast on runway 27L/27R (eastward) or 09 give the right side views over central London. You'll see the Thames snaking through the city, the City of London skyline, and Canary Wharf's towers as the aircraft climbs out eastward before turning south. Notable sights include: River Thames bends through central London, Canary Wharf tower cluster, Windsor Castle to the west on left-side departures, M25 motorway ring.

When landing at Luqa (MLA), sit on the Left side for the best views. Malta's runway 31 approach (from the northwest) puts the left side facing northeast over the Grand Harbour and Valletta. You get a clear view of the historic fortified city, the Grand Harbour's deep inlets, and the Three Cities across the water as you descend. Notable sights include: Grand Harbour and Valletta fortifications, Three Cities (Vittoriosa, Senglea, Cospicua), St Paul's Bay to the north, Gozo island visible on the horizon.

The flight from Heathrow (LHR) to Luqa (MLA) takes Approximately 3 hours 10 minutes.

The route tracks southeast over France, crossing the Loire Valley and then the Rhône corridor. The French Alps appear to the left around the midpoint, with Mont Blanc and the Écrins massif visible as a snow-covered wall. The aircraft then crosses the Gulf of Lion and the Mediterranean, passing over or near Sardinia or Corsica depending on routing, before the final descent over the open sea toward Malta.