Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from London to Olbia. The Costa Smeralda approach on the left is one of the more spectacular coastal arrivals in the Mediterranean — turquoise water, granite islands, and clear visibility. The London departure on the right is excellent but the left side wins overall for the quality of the landing scenery, and the left side also picks up the Alps crossing over France and the Ligurian coast en route.

During takeoff from Heathrow (LHR), sit on the Right side for the best views. Heathrow typically departs eastward on runways 09L/09R, then routes south. The right side gives you central London as the aircraft climbs and turns — the Thames snaking through the city, the City of London skyline, and Canary Wharf are all clearly visible. Left side gets suburban west London and not much else. Notable sights include: River Thames through central London, Canary Wharf tower cluster, City of London/The Shard area, Windsor Castle and Great Park (briefly, before the turn).

When landing at Olbia Costa Smeralda (OLB), sit on the Left side for the best views. OLB's runway 05/23 means arrivals typically come in from the southwest over the sea. On a left seat you get the dramatic granite coastline of the Costa Smeralda, the Maddalena Archipelago, and the turquoise shallows of the Tyrrhenian Sea on final approach. Right side faces inland Sardinian hills. Notable sights include: Costa Smeralda granite coastline, Maddalena Archipelago islands, Gulf of Arzachena, Tyrrhenian Sea turquoise shallows.

The flight from Heathrow (LHR) to Olbia Costa Smeralda (OLB) takes Approximately 2 hours 45 minutes to 3 hours.

The route tracks southeast over France, crossing the Loire Valley and then the French Alps or pre-Alps near the Rhône corridor, before crossing the Ligurian coast near Genoa and the Ligurian Sea. The Alps are visible as a broad snow-capped arc from either side depending on exact routing. The Ligurian and Tyrrhenian coasts are visible on descent into Sardinia.