Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from London to Porto Santo. Right-side seats win overall because the takeoff experience over London and the Thames is more visually rewarding than the landing approach. While the landing offers volcanic scenery, the climb-out provides sustained views of a major city and river system. The midpoint flight path over the Bay of Biscay offers little to either side.

During takeoff from Heathrow (LHR), sit on the Right side for the best views. Right-side seats capture the Thames estuary and London's urban sprawl as you climb out westbound. You'll see the distinctive meanders of the Thames and the Greater London conurbation spread below before heading southwest toward the Channel. Notable sights include: Thames estuary and meanders, Greater London urban area, Windsor Castle area (visible as a small pale structure near the Thames west of London), Chiltern Hills escarpment to the northwest.

When landing at Porto Santo (PXO), sit on the Left side for the best views. Left-side seats offer the best views during descent into Porto Santo. You'll see the Madeira archipelago's dramatic volcanic topography and the Atlantic coastline as you approach from the northeast, with Porto Santo's distinctive flat terrain and beaches becoming visible. Notable sights include: Porto Santo island's flat terrain and beaches, Madeira island's volcanic peaks (visible to the south/southwest at distance), Atlantic Ocean, smaller islands of the Madeira group.

The flight from Heathrow (LHR) to Porto Santo (PXO) takes Approximately 3 hours 15 minutes.

After crossing the English Channel, the flight passes over Brittany's coastline (granite headlands and bays), then over the Bay of Biscay where you'll see open Atlantic water for roughly 2 hours. The Iberian Peninsula's northwest coast (Galicia region) becomes visible about 45 minutes before descent, showing rocky inlets and coastal mountains. The approach to Madeira brings views of the open Atlantic and the archipelago's volcanic islands.