The right side wins overall because the London departure offers genuinely spectacular urban geography — the Thames, the city skyline, Windsor — which is hard to beat. The flight then tracks northeast over the North Sea, Denmark, and the Baltic, where the right side also picks up the Swedish coastline and archipelago during cruise. The Rovaniemi arrival is the better view on the left, but the departure spectacle tips the balance to the right.
Flown LHR to RVN? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
London to Rovaniemi is 1,380 miles (2,220 km), a flight of about 3 hours 20 minutes.
The route crosses the southern North Sea, then tracks over Denmark and the Danish straits, before crossing southern Sweden and the Gulf of Bothnia. Over Sweden the landscape transitions from agricultural lowlands to boreal taiga. The Gulf of Bothnia appears as a vast frozen or semi-frozen sea in winter. The route then enters Finnish Lapland, with the Kemijoki river valley guiding the final approach into Rovaniemi.
Great circle distance and headings ›.jpeg?width=600)
Phase by phase
Takeoff from LHR
RIGHTHeathrow typically departs eastbound on runways 09L/09R, meaning a right-side seat faces south over central London. You get a clear view of the Thames snaking through the city, with the dense urban grid of west and central London spread out below. Left side faces north toward the suburban sprawl of Middlesex with far less to see.
Landing at RVN
LEFTRovaniemi's runway 03 is the typical arrival heading from the south, meaning the aircraft approaches from the south-southwest. A left-side seat faces west over the Ounasjoki and Kemijoki river confluence directly at Rovaniemi, and you see the town centre and the distinctive river junction clearly. The right side faces east into featureless boreal forest.
Will your flight be in sunlight?
Pick a date and time in the Sun Map to watch the sun move across your whole flight.
About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Heathrow (LHR) to Rovaniemi (RVN)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from London to Rovaniemi. The right side wins overall because the London departure offers genuinely spectacular urban geography — the Thames, the city skyline, Windsor — which is hard to beat. The flight then tracks northeast over the North Sea, Denmark, and the Baltic, where the right side also picks up the Swedish coastline and archipelago during cruise. The Rovaniemi arrival is the better view on the left, but the departure spectacle tips the balance to the right.
What can I see during takeoff from Heathrow in London?
During takeoff from Heathrow (LHR), sit on the Right side for the best views. Heathrow typically departs eastbound on runways 09L/09R, meaning a right-side seat faces south over central London. You get a clear view of the Thames snaking through the city, with the dense urban grid of west and central London spread out below. Left side faces north toward the suburban sprawl of Middlesex with far less to see. Notable sights include: River Thames bends through central London, Windsor Castle and Great Park to the southwest, Wembley Stadium arch visible to the north-northwest, City of London skyline in the middle distance to the east.
What can I see when landing at Rovaniemi in Rovaniemi?
When landing at Rovaniemi (RVN), sit on the Left side for the best views. Rovaniemi's runway 03 is the typical arrival heading from the south, meaning the aircraft approaches from the south-southwest. A left-side seat faces west over the Ounasjoki and Kemijoki river confluence directly at Rovaniemi, and you see the town centre and the distinctive river junction clearly. The right side faces east into featureless boreal forest. Notable sights include: Kemijoki and Ounasjoki river confluence at Rovaniemi town centre, vast Lappish boreal taiga forest stretching to the horizon, frozen river channels visible as white ribbons in winter, Ounasvaara fell ridge immediately east of the town.
How long is the flight from London to Rovaniemi?
The flight from Heathrow (LHR) to Rovaniemi (RVN) takes about 3 hours 20 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 1,380 miles (2,220 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the London to Rovaniemi flight path pass over?
The route crosses the southern North Sea, then tracks over Denmark and the Danish straits, before crossing southern Sweden and the Gulf of Bothnia. Over Sweden the landscape transitions from agricultural lowlands to boreal taiga. The Gulf of Bothnia appears as a vast frozen or semi-frozen sea in winter. The route then enters Finnish Lapland, with the Kemijoki river valley guiding the final approach into Rovaniemi.