Both sides get a strong bookend view, but the right side pairs a genuine London skyline glimpse on arrival with a slightly more varied cruise track over the Ural Mountains and Russian river valleys, edging out the left side's Shanghai-only highlight.
Flown PVG to LGW? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Shanghai to London is 5,749 miles (9,252 km), a flight of about 12 hours 35 minutes.
Mongolian steppe and the edge of the Gobi Desert, the Ural Mountains marking the Asia-Europe boundary, the Volga River basin, and the North European Plain across Belarus, Poland, and Germany before the North Sea crossing into England
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from PVG
LEFTPVG's runways run north-south, and departures to the northwest require an initial climb north before banking toward the Eurasian interior. On that turn, the left side faces west toward central Shanghai, giving a brief but striking view of the Pudong skyline and Huangpu River before the city fades into the Yangtze delta haze.
Landing at LGW
RIGHTGatwick typically lands to the west on runway 26, meaning the final approach comes in from the east over Kent and Surrey. On the right side, passengers get a lingering view north toward London's skyline and the Thames basin before the aircraft lines up with the runway.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Shanghai Pudong International (PVG) to Gatwick (LGW)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Shanghai to London. Both sides get a strong bookend view, but the right side pairs a genuine London skyline glimpse on arrival with a slightly more varied cruise track over the Ural Mountains and Russian river valleys, edging out the left side's Shanghai-only highlight.
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 runways run north-south, and departures to the northwest require an initial climb north before banking toward the Eurasian interior. On that turn, the left side faces west toward central Shanghai, giving a brief but striking view of the Pudong skyline and Huangpu River before the city fades into the Yangtze delta haze. Notable sights include: Lujiazui skyline (Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai Tower), Huangpu River, Yangtze River estuary, surrounding delta farmland.
What can I see when landing at Gatwick in London?
When landing at Gatwick (LGW), sit on the Right side for the best views. Gatwick typically lands to the west on runway 26, meaning the final approach comes in from the east over Kent and Surrey. On the right side, passengers get a lingering view north toward London's skyline and the Thames basin before the aircraft lines up with the runway. Notable sights include: North Downs countryside, distant London skyline (The Shard, Canary Wharf towers), patchwork Surrey/Kent farmland, River Mole winding near the approach path.
How long is the flight from Shanghai to London?
The flight from Shanghai Pudong International (PVG) to Gatwick (LGW) takes about 12 hours 35 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 5,749 miles (9,252 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Shanghai to London flight path pass over?
Mongolian steppe and the edge of the Gobi Desert, the Ural Mountains marking the Asia-Europe boundary, the Volga River basin, and the North European Plain across Belarus, Poland, and Germany before the North Sea crossing into England