About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Heathrow (LHR) to Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from London to Phoenix. Left side wins at both ends of the flight. Over the Atlantic the views are similar on both sides, but the left side picks up the southern tip of Greenland's ice sheet and the Labrador coast during the great circle routing, giving it a slight edge mid-flight as well.
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 heading west on runways 27L/27R give the left side a clear view back over central London as the aircraft banks north. You'll see the Thames snaking eastward through the city, with the dense urban grid of west London spread out below. Notable sights include: River Thames through central London, Windsor Castle and Windsor Great Park to the southwest, Wembley Stadium arch visible to the north, the M25 orbital motorway ring.
What can I see when landing at Phoenix Sky Harbor International in Phoenix?
When landing at Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX), sit on the Left side for the best views. Phoenix Sky Harbor sits southeast of the city center, and aircraft typically approach from the east on runway 26 heading west. The left side gets a direct view over the Superstition Mountains and the Valley of the Sun sprawling across the desert basin, with the distinctive grid of Phoenix's streets clearly visible. Notable sights include: Superstition Mountains to the east, South Mountain Park ridge to the south, Camelback Mountain's distinctive camel-hump profile, the Salt River bed cutting through the valley floor.
How long is the flight from London to Phoenix?
The flight from Heathrow (LHR) to Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX) takes Approximately 10 to 11 hours.
What does the London to Phoenix flight path pass over?
The great circle route tracks northwest over Ireland, then across the North Atlantic passing south of Iceland, over the southern tip of Greenland's ice cap, across the Labrador coast of Canada, over Quebec and Ontario, then southwest across the Great Lakes region, the US Midwest plains, and finally the Sonoran Desert before descending into Phoenix. The southern Greenland ice sheet and the Canadian Shield's lake-dotted boreal landscape are the most visually dramatic mid-flight features.