Manila to London flight pathMNLLHR

Sit on the left side of the plane

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Pick the window seat with the view. 13,500 routes answered — landmarks, coastlines and cities, wing by wing.

Flight time13h 30m
Distance6,690
Heading328° → 236°
Best side
Left

Left side wins at both ends of the flight. Over Manila Bay at departure and over the Thames and central London on approach, the left seat delivers the most geographically rewarding views. During the long cruise the difference is minimal, but the bookend experiences strongly favor the left.

Takeoff · MNLLEFTManila Bay and its causeway, Laguna de Bay, the Manila city skyline and Rizal Park area
Landing · LHRLEFTRiver Thames snaking through central London, the City of London and Canary Wharf tower clusters, Windsor Castle and Windsor Great Park to the west

Flight Path

Flight path overview

The route tracks northwest from Manila across the South China Sea, then overflies southern China and crosses into Central Asia over the Tibetan Plateau and Himalayas, where Himalayan peaks including Everest may be distantly visible on clear days. The flight then crosses Kazakhstan, Russia's southern steppe, the Caspian Sea, Ukraine or Poland depending on routing, and descends across northern Europe through Germany and the Netherlands before crossing the English Channel into the UK.

Great circle distance and headings ›

Phase by phase

Aerial window seat view during takeoff from Manila (left side) — Manila Bay and its causeway, Laguna de Bay (one of Southeast Asia's largest lakes), the Manila city skyline and Rizal Park area, Corregidor Island in the bay mouth

Takeoff from MNL

LEFT

NAIA's primary departure runway 06 sends aircraft northeast over Manila Bay on the left side. You get a sweeping view of the bay, the Manila city skyline, and Laguna de Bay as the aircraft climbs and turns northwest. The right side faces inland toward suburban sprawl with less visual interest.

Manila Bay and its causewayLaguna de Baythe Manila city skyline and Rizal Park areaCorregidor Island in the bay mouth
Aerial window seat view during landing at London (left side) — River Thames snaking through central London, the City of London and Canary Wharf tower clusters, Windsor Castle and Windsor Great Park to the west, the M25 motorway ring

Landing at LHR

LEFT

Heathrow's standard westerly approach on runways 27L/27R brings aircraft in from the east over central London. The left side faces south, giving clear views of the Thames, central London landmarks, and the Surrey hills beyond. The right side looks north toward the less distinctive suburban sprawl of Hertfordshire.

River Thames snaking through central Londonthe City of London and Canary Wharf tower clustersWindsor Castle and Windsor Great Park to the westthe M25 motorway ring

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About This Route

Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Ninoy Aquino International (MNL) to Heathrow (LHR)?

Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Manila to London. Left side wins at both ends of the flight. Over Manila Bay at departure and over the Thames and central London on approach, the left seat delivers the most geographically rewarding views. During the long cruise the difference is minimal, but the bookend experiences strongly favor the left.

What can I see during takeoff from Ninoy Aquino International in Manila?

During takeoff from Ninoy Aquino International (MNL), sit on the Left side for the best views. NAIA's primary departure runway 06 sends aircraft northeast over Manila Bay on the left side. You get a sweeping view of the bay, the Manila city skyline, and Laguna de Bay as the aircraft climbs and turns northwest. The right side faces inland toward suburban sprawl with less visual interest. Notable sights include: Manila Bay and its causeway, Laguna de Bay (one of Southeast Asia's largest lakes), the Manila city skyline and Rizal Park area, Corregidor Island in the bay mouth.

What can I see when landing at Heathrow in London?

When landing at Heathrow (LHR), sit on the Left side for the best views. Heathrow's standard westerly approach on runways 27L/27R brings aircraft in from the east over central London. The left side faces south, giving clear views of the Thames, central London landmarks, and the Surrey hills beyond. The right side looks north toward the less distinctive suburban sprawl of Hertfordshire. Notable sights include: River Thames snaking through central London, the City of London and Canary Wharf tower clusters, Windsor Castle and Windsor Great Park to the west, the M25 motorway ring.

How long is the flight from Manila to London?

The flight from Ninoy Aquino International (MNL) to Heathrow (LHR) takes Approximately 13 to 14 hours nonstop.

What does the Manila to London flight path pass over?

The route tracks northwest from Manila across the South China Sea, then overflies southern China and crosses into Central Asia over the Tibetan Plateau and Himalayas, where Himalayan peaks including Everest may be distantly visible on clear days. The flight then crosses Kazakhstan, Russia's southern steppe, the Caspian Sea, Ukraine or Poland depending on routing, and descends across northern Europe through Germany and the Netherlands before crossing the English Channel into the UK.