London to New Orleans is 4,620 miles (7,435 km), a flight of about 9 hours 10 minutes.
The left side offers the more scenic bookends of the flight - the Welsh coastline on departure and Lake Pontchartrain with the New Orleans skyline on arrival - while the long mid-Atlantic crossing offers little to distinguish either side.
Flight Path
Open North Atlantic Ocean, possibly passing south of Newfoundland's coastal waters before descending over the southeastern United States and the Mississippi River delta
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from LHR
LEFTWestbound departures from Heathrow typically climb out over Berkshire and then curve southwest toward the Bristol Channel and South Wales coast, giving left-side passengers a look at the Thames Valley and the Welsh coastline before heading out over the Atlantic. The right side mostly sees the flat Midlands with no strong landmarks.
Landing at MSY
LEFTArrivals into MSY commonly cross Lake Pontchartrain on final approach, and left-side passengers get a clear view of the lake's broad waters, the causeway bridge, and the New Orleans skyline and French Quarter just before touchdown. The right side mostly faces open marshland and the Gulf with fewer defined landmarks.
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 Louis Armstrong New Orleans International (MSY)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from London to New Orleans. The left side offers the more scenic bookends of the flight - the Welsh coastline on departure and Lake Pontchartrain with the New Orleans skyline on arrival - while the long mid-Atlantic crossing offers little to distinguish either side.
What can I see during takeoff from Heathrow in London?
During takeoff from Heathrow (LHR), sit on the Left side for the best views. Westbound departures from Heathrow typically climb out over Berkshire and then curve southwest toward the Bristol Channel and South Wales coast, giving left-side passengers a look at the Thames Valley and the Welsh coastline before heading out over the Atlantic. The right side mostly sees the flat Midlands with no strong landmarks. Notable sights include: Thames Valley, Reading/Berkshire countryside, Bristol Channel, South Wales coastline.
What can I see when landing at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International in New Orleans?
When landing at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International (MSY), sit on the Left side for the best views. Arrivals into MSY commonly cross Lake Pontchartrain on final approach, and left-side passengers get a clear view of the lake's broad waters, the causeway bridge, and the New Orleans skyline and French Quarter just before touchdown. The right side mostly faces open marshland and the Gulf with fewer defined landmarks. Notable sights include: Lake Pontchartrain, Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, New Orleans downtown skyline, Mississippi River bends.
How long is the flight from London to New Orleans?
The flight from Heathrow (LHR) to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International (MSY) takes about 9 hours 10 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 4,620 miles (7,435 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the London to New Orleans flight path pass over?
Open North Atlantic Ocean, possibly passing south of Newfoundland's coastal waters before descending over the southeastern United States and the Mississippi River delta