The right side dominates the long cruise portion of this roughly nine-hour flight: the turquoise waters of Lake Turkana, the Nile River threading through Sudan and Egypt, the Sahara's dune fields, a Mediterranean crossing near Crete, and finally the snow-capped Alps all appear on that side as the flight track bends northwest. That variety and drama over many hours outweighs the brief scenic highlights on the left during takeoff and landing.
Flight Path
Around the midpoint the aircraft crosses the Sudan-Egypt border region, passing near the Nile River valley and the surrounding Sahara Desert, with the Red Sea hills visible further east.
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from WIL
LEFTClimbing out from Wilson Airport, the west-facing side looks over Nairobi's Karen and Langata suburbs toward the Ngong Hills, with the dramatic drop into the Great Rift Valley escarpment visible beyond on a clear day. The opposite side mostly shows flatter city sprawl with less topographic interest.
Landing at LHR
LEFTOn Heathrow's typical westerly approach, the descent track crosses over central London before turning onto final, giving left-side passengers a sweeping view of the Thames and the city skyline just minutes before touchdown.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Nairobi Wilson (WIL) to Heathrow (LHR)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Nairobi to London. The right side dominates the long cruise portion of this roughly nine-hour flight: the turquoise waters of Lake Turkana, the Nile River threading through Sudan and Egypt, the Sahara's dune fields, a Mediterranean crossing near Crete, and finally the snow-capped Alps all appear on that side as the flight track bends northwest. That variety and drama over many hours outweighs the brief scenic highlights on the left during takeoff and landing.
What can I see during takeoff from Nairobi Wilson in Nairobi?
During takeoff from Nairobi Wilson (WIL), sit on the Left side for the best views. Climbing out from Wilson Airport, the west-facing side looks over Nairobi's Karen and Langata suburbs toward the Ngong Hills, with the dramatic drop into the Great Rift Valley escarpment visible beyond on a clear day. The opposite side mostly shows flatter city sprawl with less topographic interest. Notable sights include: Ngong Hills, Great Rift Valley escarpment, Karen/Langata suburbs, Kikuyu escarpment.
What can I see when landing at Heathrow in London?
When landing at Heathrow (LHR), sit on the Left side for the best views. On Heathrow's typical westerly approach, the descent track crosses over central London before turning onto final, giving left-side passengers a sweeping view of the Thames and the city skyline just minutes before touchdown. Notable sights include: River Thames, London Eye and Houses of Parliament, Canary Wharf towers, Wembley Stadium.
How long is the flight from Nairobi to London?
The flight from Nairobi Wilson (WIL) to Heathrow (LHR) takes 8h 50m.
What does the Nairobi to London flight path pass over?
Around the midpoint the aircraft crosses the Sudan-Egypt border region, passing near the Nile River valley and the surrounding Sahara Desert, with the Red Sea hills visible further east.