Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Lyon to London. The London approach on the left side delivers the more dramatic and sustained viewing experience — the Thames bends, the city skyline, and Windsor are genuinely iconic. The Lyon departure on the right is good but brief. For the full flight, left wins on the strength of the arrival.

During takeoff from Bron (LYN), sit on the Right side for the best views. Lyon-Bron's main runway 35 departure heads northwest, putting the Alps on the right (east) side. You get a clear view of the western Alpine foothills and the Rhône valley below as the aircraft climbs out northward. Notable sights include: Rhône river confluence with the Saône, Lyon city centre and Presqu'île district, Monts du Lyonnais hills to the west, western Alpine foothills to the east.

When landing at Heathrow (LHR), sit on the Left side for the best views. Heathrow's main westerly arrivals on runway 27L/27R bring aircraft in from the east over central London. The left side faces south, giving clear views over the Thames, central London landmarks, and the city's dense urban spread. Notable sights include: River Thames and its distinctive bends through central London, City of London and Canary Wharf tower clusters, Windsor Castle and Windsor Great Park to the west, M25 motorway ring.

The flight from Bron (LYN) to Heathrow (LHR) takes Approximately 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours.

After Lyon the route tracks northwest over the Burgundy plateau and the Côte-d'Or wine region, then crosses the Paris Basin — flat agricultural land with the Seine drainage system visible. The route passes well east of Paris. Crossing into northern France, the terrain flattens further into the chalk plains of Picardy. The English Channel crossing takes roughly 20-25 minutes, with the white cliffs of the Dover-Calais strait visible on clear days. Over southeast England the North Downs and the Thames estuary are the main features before the London suburbs begin.