ATL to LHR: which side of the plane should you sit on?
Atlanta (ATL) to London (LHR) is a 6,761 km (4,201 mi), roughly 8h 27m eastbound flight. Here is where the sun sits along that path, computed with the same astronomy as our live calculator.
On most daytime ATL to LHR departures the sun favors the right side — sit on the left (an A seat) for shade.
Sun side by season and departure time
| Season | Morning (8 am) | Midday (1 pm) | Evening (6 pm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| March equinox | Right | Both | Left |
| June solstice | Both | Left | Left |
| September equinox | Right | Both | Left |
| December solstice | Right | Right | Night |
What you’ll see on this flight
Pick the right side if you want the best views, but know it is also the sun side. In the evening, the light moves left, so the right side gets kinder.
This route is a right-side flight for views, but that is also the sunny side. You get the strongest show on the right, while late in the day the light shifts and the glare eases.
Takeoff
After takeoff from ATL, depending on the runway in use, Atlanta is very close on the left and may pass almost under you as you climb.
En route
- 23m in← LeftBlue Ridge Mountains
About 20 minutes in, the Blue Ridge Mountains sit off the left side.
- 1h 31m inRight →New York City
Around an hour and a half in, New York City and the Brooklyn Bridge line up on the right.
- 3h 35m inRight →Newfoundland
A bit over three and a half hours in, Newfoundland stays on the right side of the cabin view.
- 7h 46m in← LeftIreland
Near the last hour before landing, Ireland appears on the left.
- 8h 07m in← LeftSnowdonia
On descent, Snowdonia is off the left side and comes into view before arrival.
Landing
On approach to LHR, depending on the runway in use, London and the city center landmarks come in on the left, while Portsmouth sits off to the right just before landing.
Sides and timings are computed from this route’s geometry. What you actually see depends on weather, air-traffic routing, and the runway in use on the day.
Frequently asked
Which side of the plane avoids the sun from ATL to LHR?
Across typical daytime departures, the sun predominantly hits the right side of the aircraft, so the left side stays shadier. Seat letters start at the left window, so choose an A seat.
Which side has the sunset views on ATL to LHR flights?
For sunset views, flip the advice: on evening departures the sun sits on the left side of this route, so that is the side with the show.
How long is the flight from ATL to LHR?
The great-circle distance is 6,761 km (4,201 mi), which works out to roughly 8h 27m in the air on this eastbound routing. Winds and routing move the real block time around that estimate.
Does the date or departure time change the answer?
Yes — that is why the table shows both. The sun's path shifts with the season, and a morning departure can put the glare on the opposite side compared to an evening one. For a specific flight, the calculator samples the sun along the whole route for your exact date and time.
Which side should I sit on ATL to LHR?
Sit on the right for the best views. That is also the sunny side on typical departures.
What will I see on the flight from Atlanta to London?
You can catch the Blue Ridge Mountains on the left, then New York City, Newfoundland, and later Ireland and Snowdonia.