While the London departure gives the left side a brief urban highlight, the right side's Alpine crossing and Lake Maggiore approach into Malpensa offer far more dramatic and varied terrain across the whole flight.
Flight Path
Route crosses northern France near Reims and Dijon, then the Jura Mountains, before entering Swiss Alpine terrain and descending toward the Italian Lakes region near Lake Maggiore.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from LHR
LEFTWesterly departures at Heathrow typically climb out to the west before banking south toward the Channel, putting London's southern boroughs and the Thames loop briefly on the left side. The right side mostly shows the flat Berkshire and Surrey countryside with little to distinguish it.
Landing at MXP
RIGHTArrivals into Malpensa from the north cross the Alps before descending toward Lake Maggiore, and on a southbound approach the jagged Alpine peaks and Alpine lakes appear prominently on the right side. This is a dramatic, high-contrast final approach compared to the flat Po Valley visible on the left.
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 Malpensa (MXP)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from London to Milano. While the London departure gives the left side a brief urban highlight, the right side's Alpine crossing and Lake Maggiore approach into Malpensa offer far more dramatic and varied terrain across the whole 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. Westerly departures at Heathrow typically climb out to the west before banking south toward the Channel, putting London's southern boroughs and the Thames loop briefly on the left side. The right side mostly shows the flat Berkshire and Surrey countryside with little to distinguish it. Notable sights include: Thames river bends near Kingston, Wimbledon/Richmond Park green space, distant Central London skyline, Surrey Hills on the horizon.
What can I see when landing at Malpensa in Milano?
When landing at Malpensa (MXP), sit on the Right side for the best views. Arrivals into Malpensa from the north cross the Alps before descending toward Lake Maggiore, and on a southbound approach the jagged Alpine peaks and Alpine lakes appear prominently on the right side. This is a dramatic, high-contrast final approach compared to the flat Po Valley visible on the left. Notable sights include: Snow-capped Alpine peaks (Pennine/Lepontine Alps), Lake Maggiore's elongated blue basin, forested foothills, Malpensa's runway complex coming into view.
How long is the flight from London to Milano?
The flight from Heathrow (LHR) to Malpensa (MXP) takes 1h 50m.
What does the London to Milano flight path pass over?
Route crosses northern France near Reims and Dijon, then the Jura Mountains, before entering Swiss Alpine terrain and descending toward the Italian Lakes region near Lake Maggiore.