About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Heathrow (LHR) to Portland International (PDX)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from London to Portland. Left side wins both ends of the flight. Over the Atlantic and Canadian interior the views are broadly similar on both sides, but the left seat captures the best of London on departure and the full Cascade volcanic panorama including Mount Hood on arrival into Portland.
What can I see during takeoff from Heathrow in London?
During takeoff from Heathrow (LHR), sit on the Left side for the best views. Heathrow departures on the eastbound runways (09L/09R) swing left over west London, giving left-side passengers a clear view of the Thames snaking through the city, with central London landmarks visible in the distance. Right-side passengers face suburban Surrey and Berkshire with little of note. Notable sights include: Thames River bends through west London, Windsor Castle and Windsor Great Park to the southwest, Wembley Stadium arch visible to the north, the Chiltern Hills rising to the northwest.
What can I see when landing at Portland International in Portland?
When landing at Portland International (PDX), sit on the Left side for the best views. Portland International sits on the east bank of the Willamette River, and aircraft typically approach from the east or southeast on runway 28L/28R heading west. Left-side passengers get the Columbia River Gorge, Mount Hood, and the Cascade Range on approach, while right-side passengers face north toward Washington state with less dramatic terrain. Notable sights include: Mount Hood (11,249 ft) to the southeast, Columbia River Gorge cutting westward, Mount St. Helens visible to the north, Willamette River confluence with the Columbia.
How long is the flight from London to Portland?
The flight from Heathrow (LHR) to Portland International (PDX) takes Approximately 9 to 10 hours.
What does the London to Portland flight path pass over?
The route tracks a great circle northward over Scotland and Iceland or southern Greenland, then across the Canadian Arctic and Hudson Bay region, descending over the Canadian Rockies and British Columbia before crossing into Washington state and the Cascades. Key features include Greenland's ice sheet edge, the vast boreal forest of northern Canada, the Canadian Rockies visible as a corrugated ridge system, and the Columbia Plateau's high desert before the Cascades.