About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Cote D Azur (NCE) to City (LCY)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Nice to London. Right-side seats dominate both legs: the Mediterranean departure and the Thames approach both favor the right side for the most dramatic geography. While landing slightly favors left, the superior takeoff views and the fact that most of the flight path over the Channel and southern England offers better perspective from the right make it the overall winner.
What can I see during takeoff from Cote D Azur in Nice?
During takeoff from Cote D Azur (NCE), sit on the Right side for the best views. Nice typically departs runway 04L/22R or 04R/22L depending on wind. Departing eastbound (runway 04) on a right-side seat gives immediate views of the Baie des Anges curving away beneath you, with the Esterel Massif rising to the west. Westbound departures (runway 22) favor left seats, but eastbound is more common. Right side captures the Mediterranean coastline and pre-Alps as you climb. Notable sights include: Baie des Anges (bay immediately below), Esterel Massif (rust-red mountains to the west), Pre-Alps foothills (northeast), Antibes peninsula (visible to the east).
What can I see when landing at City in London?
When landing at City (LCY), sit on the Left side for the best views. London City uses runway 09/27. Approaching from the south (runway 27) on a left-side seat, you descend over the Thames estuary and get clear views of the river's final meanders, the Isle of Dogs, and Canary Wharf's cluster before touchdown. The approach path follows the Thames inland, making left-side seats optimal for the river and city landmarks. Notable sights include: River Thames (dominant feature, winding below), Isle of Dogs (distinctive peninsula), Canary Wharf towers (visible cluster), Greenwich Peninsula (across the river to the right).
How long is the flight from Nice to London?
The flight from Cote D Azur (NCE) to City (LCY) takes Approximately 2 hours 15 minutes.
What does the Nice to London flight path pass over?
After climbing out over the Mediterranean and Pre-Alps, the flight crosses the Rhône Valley (visible as a broad, developed corridor between the Alps and Massif Central). The route then crosses the Massif Central as a series of rolling, forested plateaus. Over the Channel, the Cotentin Peninsula (Normandy) is visible on the left/west. The English coast near the Isle of Wight and Solent appears next, followed by the New Forest (dark green patch) and then the Thames estuary and London basin.