About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Shanghai Pudong International (PVG) to Gatwick (LGW)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Shanghai to London. Left side wins at both ends of the flight. During the long cruise over Central Asia and Russia, the left side also offers better views of the Kazakh steppe, the Ural Mountains crossing, and Scandinavia if the routing goes that way, though much of the 11-hour flight is over featureless Siberian taiga at night or in cloud.
What can I see during takeoff from Shanghai Pudong International in Shanghai?
During takeoff from Shanghai Pudong International (PVG), sit on the Left side for the best views. PVG's primary departure runway 16/34 means northbound departures head roughly north, putting the Huangpu River, Pudong skyline, and central Shanghai on the left (west) side. You get a clear view of the river's distinctive S-bend and the dense urban grid of one of the world's largest cities during climb-out. Notable sights include: Huangpu River S-bend, Pudong skyline with Oriental Pearl Tower and Shanghai Tower, Suzhou Creek confluence, Chongming Island to the north.
What can I see when landing at Gatwick in London?
When landing at Gatwick (LGW), sit on the Left side for the best views. Gatwick's single runway 08/26 means westbound arrivals on runway 26 approach from the east, putting the North Downs, Crawley town, and the Surrey Hills on the left (south) side. The approach over the Weald gives a clear view of the English countryside patchwork and the distinctive green ridgeline of the North Downs. Notable sights include: North Downs ridgeline, Weald farmland patchwork, Crawley urban area, M23 motorway corridor.
How long is the flight from Shanghai to London?
The flight from Shanghai Pudong International (PVG) to Gatwick (LGW) takes Approximately 11 to 12 hours.
What does the Shanghai to London flight path pass over?
The route typically tracks northwest over eastern China, crosses Mongolia or northern China, then transits southern Siberia and the West Siberian Plain, crosses the Ural Mountains near 60N, passes over European Russia and the Baltic states or Scandinavia, then descends over the North Sea and southeastern England. Key geographic features include the Gobi Desert margins, the vast West Siberian lowland taiga, the low Ural ridge, the Gulf of Finland, and the Danish or Dutch coastline depending on exact routing.