The right side combines a dramatic, sustained view of the French Riviera coastline and the Maritime Alps during the turn after takeoff with a relatively uneventful but pleasant cruise over central France, edging out the left side, whose main highlight is the brief but iconic Windsor Castle glimpse on final approach.
Flight Path
The route tracks north-northwest over the Rhône-Alpes region and the eastern edge of the Massif Central foothills, then continues over central France toward the Paris region before crossing the English Channel near the Normandy or Picardy coast and descending into the English countryside south of London.
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from NCE
RIGHTNice departures use runway 22, climbing out over the Mediterranean before banking right onto a northerly track toward London. That turn puts the Riviera coastline and the Maritime Alps foothills right outside the right-side windows.
Landing at LHR
LEFTHeathrow operates westerly landings most of the time, so arriving flights from the southeast typically fly over the Home Counties before turning onto final approach heading west. Windsor Castle sits just south of the runway centerline on this approach, visible from the left side only a few minutes before touchdown.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Cote D Azur (NCE) to Heathrow (LHR)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Nice to London. The right side combines a dramatic, sustained view of the French Riviera coastline and the Maritime Alps during the turn after takeoff with a relatively uneventful but pleasant cruise over central France, edging out the left side, whose main highlight is the brief but iconic Windsor Castle glimpse on final approach.
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 departures use runway 22, climbing out over the Mediterranean before banking right onto a northerly track toward London. That turn puts the Riviera coastline and the Maritime Alps foothills right outside the right-side windows. Notable sights include: Nice's Promenade des Anglais and Baie des Anges, Cap Ferrat peninsula, Villefranche-sur-Mer, Maritime Alps foothills rising inland.
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 operates westerly landings most of the time, so arriving flights from the southeast typically fly over the Home Counties before turning onto final approach heading west. Windsor Castle sits just south of the runway centerline on this approach, visible from the left side only a few minutes before touchdown. Notable sights include: Windsor Castle and Windsor Great Park, the River Thames near Staines, reservoirs west of London, patchwork green fields of the Thames Valley.
How long is the flight from Nice to London?
The flight from Cote D Azur (NCE) to Heathrow (LHR) takes 2h 15m.
What does the Nice to London flight path pass over?
The route tracks north-northwest over the Rhône-Alpes region and the eastern edge of the Massif Central foothills, then continues over central France toward the Paris region before crossing the English Channel near the Normandy or Picardy coast and descending into the English countryside south of London.