Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Taipei to London. While the right side wins at takeoff for Taiwan's mountains, the left side delivers the more sustained and spectacular experience: the South China Sea coast, and critically the iconic London approach over the Thames and city skyline on arrival. The London descent on the left is one of the great urban approaches in commercial aviation.

During takeoff from Chiang Kai Shek International (TPE), sit on the Right side for the best views. TPE departures on runway 05L/05R head northeast, putting the Central Mountain Range of Taiwan on the right side. You get a clear view of the spine of the island including Yushan (Jade Mountain) and the surrounding high peaks as you climb out over the Taoyuan plateau. Notable sights include: Central Mountain Range spine, Yushan (Jade Mountain at 3,952m), Taoyuan coastal plain, Taiwan Strait to the left.

When landing at Heathrow (LHR), sit on the Left side for the best views. Heathrow's main landing runways 27L/27R have aircraft approaching from the east, meaning the left side faces south over central London. You get a clear view of the Thames, the City of London skyline, Canary Wharf, and the wider urban grid as you descend through 3,000-6,000 feet on final approach. Notable sights include: River Thames snaking westward, Canary Wharf cluster, City of London skyline, Windsor Castle and Windsor Great Park.

The flight from Chiang Kai Shek International (TPE) to Heathrow (LHR) takes Approximately 13 to 14 hours.

The route tracks northwest from Taiwan over the South China Sea, across southern China and into Central Asia. Notable features include the Tibetan Plateau and Himalayas visible to the south in the early portion, the vast Taklimakan Desert and Tian Shan range over Xinjiang, then the Caspian Sea, the Caucasus Mountains, Black Sea, and finally Central Europe including the Alps before descending into the UK.