Bucharest to London flight pathOTPLHR

Sit on the left side of the plane

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Flight time3h 35m
Distance1,308
Heading301° → 281°

Bucharest to London is 1,308 miles (2,105 km), a flight of about 3 hours 35 minutes.

Best side
Left

Left side wins both ends of the flight. Over the cruise, left-side passengers also get better views of the Alps if the routing goes via Austria or southern Germany, and the Rhine valley as the flight crosses into western Europe.

Takeoff · OTPLEFTPalace of the Parliament, Dâmbovița River through central Bucharest, Herăstrău Park and lake north of center
Landing · LHRLEFTRiver Thames snaking through central London, City of London skyline with The Shard and Canary Wharf towers, Windsor Castle and Windsor Great Park west of the city

Flight Path

Flight path overview

The route typically tracks northwest over Hungary and the Pannonian Plain, then across Austria or southern Germany where the Alps are visible to the south, followed by the Rhine valley and Black Forest region, then across Belgium or northern France before crossing the English Channel into southeast England

Great circle distance and headings ›

Phase by phase

Takeoff from OTP

LEFT

OTP typically departs on runway 08R/26L or 08L/26R. Westbound departures heading toward LHR swing northwest, putting Bucharest city center off the left side. You get a clear view of the city grid, the Palace of the Parliament (one of the largest buildings in the world), and the Dâmbovița river cutting through the urban fabric.

Palace of the ParliamentDâmbovița River through central BucharestHerăstrău Park and lake north of centerBucharest city grid spreading south and west
Aerial window seat view during landing at London (left side) — River Thames snaking through central London, City of London skyline with The Shard and Canary Wharf towers, Windsor Castle and Windsor Great Park west of the city, M25 motorway ring visible as a grey arc

Landing at LHR

LEFT

Heathrow predominantly uses easterly approaches on runways 27L/27R (landing toward the west) or westerly on 09L/09R. On the standard easterly approach over London, the aircraft tracks west over the city. Left-side seats get the Thames, central London landmarks, and the City of London spread out clearly before touchdown.

River Thames snaking through central LondonCity of London skyline with The Shard and Canary Wharf towersWindsor Castle and Windsor Great Park west of the cityM25 motorway ring visible as a grey arc

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About This Route

Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Otopeni (OTP) to Heathrow (LHR)?

Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Bucharest to London. Left side wins both ends of the flight. Over the cruise, left-side passengers also get better views of the Alps if the routing goes via Austria or southern Germany, and the Rhine valley as the flight crosses into western Europe.

What can I see during takeoff from Otopeni in Bucharest?

During takeoff from Otopeni (OTP), sit on the Left side for the best views. OTP typically departs on runway 08R/26L or 08L/26R. Westbound departures heading toward LHR swing northwest, putting Bucharest city center off the left side. You get a clear view of the city grid, the Palace of the Parliament (one of the largest buildings in the world), and the Dâmbovița river cutting through the urban fabric. Notable sights include: Palace of the Parliament (unmistakable large white building), Dâmbovița River through central Bucharest, Herăstrău Park and lake north of center, Bucharest city grid spreading south and west.

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 predominantly uses easterly approaches on runways 27L/27R (landing toward the west) or westerly on 09L/09R. On the standard easterly approach over London, the aircraft tracks west over the city. Left-side seats get the Thames, central London landmarks, and the City of London spread out clearly before touchdown. Notable sights include: River Thames snaking through central London, City of London skyline with The Shard and Canary Wharf towers, Windsor Castle and Windsor Great Park west of the city, M25 motorway ring visible as a grey arc.

How long is the flight from Bucharest to London?

The flight from Otopeni (OTP) to Heathrow (LHR) takes about 3 hours 35 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 1,308 miles (2,105 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.

What does the Bucharest to London flight path pass over?

The route typically tracks northwest over Hungary and the Pannonian Plain, then across Austria or southern Germany where the Alps are visible to the south, followed by the Rhine valley and Black Forest region, then across Belgium or northern France before crossing the English Channel into southeast England