Portland to London flight path: PDX to LHR

Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Portland to London. The right side delivers the strongest bookends of the trip: the Cascade volcanoes during departure and a clear view of central London's Thames-side landmarks on arrival, plus a chance at Greenland's fjorded coastline during the cruise. The left side spends more of the flight over open ocean and empty tundra with no comparable payoff.

During takeoff from Portland International (PDX), sit on the Right side for the best views. PDX departures heading toward the Canada/Greenland great-circle route turn onto a north-northeast heading shortly after takeoff, putting the Cascade volcanoes on the right side of the cabin. Passengers get a clear look at Mount St. Helens, Mount Adams, and Mount Rainier rising above the forested Cascade foothills before the aircraft climbs above them. Notable sights include: Mount St. Helens, Mount Rainier, Mount Adams, Columbia River.

When landing at Heathrow (LHR), sit on the Right side for the best views. On Heathrow's typical westerly approach, arriving flights descend from the east on a track that runs just south of central London, keeping the Thames and the City skyline visible on the right side of the cabin. This gives a brief but recognizable view of London before the aircraft lines up over the western suburbs for landing. Notable sights include: River Thames, London Eye, Canary Wharf towers, Houses of Parliament.

The flight from Portland International (PDX) to Heathrow (LHR) takes 9h 25m.

The route's midpoint falls over northern Canada near Hudson Bay/Nunavut, with the aircraft continuing on toward the Davis Strait and the southern tip of Greenland's ice cap before crossing to Iceland and the British Isles.