About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Capital (PEK) to Heathrow (LHR)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Beijing to London. Left side wins both ends of the flight. During the cruise over Central Asia and Russia the left side also faces generally south, offering better views of the Tian Shan and Ural foothills depending on exact routing, though at cruising altitude both sides see similar terrain. The decisive advantage is the London approach, which is one of the great urban aerial views in aviation.
What can I see during takeoff from Capital in Beijing?
During takeoff from Capital (PEK), sit on the Left side for the best views. PEK typically departs westward on runway 01/19 or 36/18. A left-side seat faces south during a northward climb-out, giving views over central Beijing's urban grid, the old city axis, and the Forbidden City complex. As the aircraft banks northwest toward the route, the left side picks up the Western Hills (Xishan) rising abruptly from the North China Plain. Notable sights include: Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square axis, Western Hills (Xishan range), Ming Tombs reservoir area near Changping, urban sprawl of central Beijing districts.
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 dominant runway orientation is east-west (09L/27R and 09R/27L). Westerly landings on 27L/27R approach from the east over London, putting the left side facing south over central London. This gives a clear view of the Thames, the City of London, Canary Wharf, and the broader London skyline during the long low approach. Notable sights include: River Thames snaking through central London, Canary Wharf tower cluster in Docklands, The Shard and City of London skyline, Windsor Castle and Windsor Great Park just before touchdown.
How long is the flight from Beijing to London?
The flight from Capital (PEK) to Heathrow (LHR) takes Approximately 10 to 11 hours.
What does the Beijing to London flight path pass over?
The route tracks northwest over Mongolia and southern Siberia, crossing Lake Baikal (the world's deepest lake, clearly visible as a long dark-blue slash in the landscape), then over the West Siberian Plain, the Ural Mountains (a low but distinct north-south ridge marking the Europe-Asia boundary), and across European Russia and Poland before descending over the North Sea coast into the UK.