FlownLondon Gatwick to Hurghada: which side of the plane?
Flying out, both sides have something: the left (seat A) for the Zugspitze and the Dolomites, the right (seat F) for the Eiger and Jungfrau, and the Matterhorn. You may pass straight over Venice.
- RouteLGW → HRG
- Distance2,423 miles (3,900 km) direct
- Flight timeroughly 5¾ hours
What you might see, flying out
Left side · seat A
- The White Cliffs of Doversoon after take-off
- The Zugspitzeabout 1h 20m in
- The Dolomitesabout 1h 30m in
- Mount Olympusabout 3h 05m in
- Athensabout 3h 25m in
Right side · seat F
- The Eiger and Jungfrauabout 1h 10m in
- The Matterhornabout 1h 10m in
- Lake Gardaabout 1h 30m in
- Corfuabout 2h 55m in
- Creteabout 3h 50m in
Straight below
- Veniceabout 1h 40m in
Leaving London Gatwick (LGW), the sun is mostly on the right in the morning and the afternoon alike, so the left side is shadier.
Flying home: Hurghada to Gatwick
Flying home, both sides have something: the left (seat A) for Crete and the Matterhorn, the right (seat F) for Mount Olympus and the Dolomites. You may pass straight over Venice.
Left side · seat A
- The Pyramids of Gizaabout 35 min in
- Creteabout 1h 45m in
- Corfuabout 2h 45m in
- Lake Gardaabout 4h 10m in
- The Matterhornabout 4h 30m in
Right side · seat F
- Mount Sinaisoon after take-off
- Santoriniabout 1h 50m in
- Athensabout 2h 15m in
- Mount Olympusabout 2h 35m in
- The Dolomitesabout 4h 10m in
Straight below
- Veniceabout 4h 00m in
Leaving Hurghada (HRG) in the afternoon, the sun is mostly on the left, so the right side is shadier.
Worked out along the direct (great-circle) route between the two airports. Real flights follow airways, winds and air traffic control, often tens of miles either side of it, so these are likely rather than certain, and clouds permitting. Times assume a typical 5¾-hour flight. Seat letters are for the window: A on the left; on the right, F on most single-aisle jets and K on most wide-bodies.