DXB to LHR: which side of the plane should you sit on?
Dubai (DXB) to London (LHR) is a 5,498 km (3,417 mi), roughly 6h 58m northbound flight. Here is where the sun sits along that path, computed with the same astronomy as our live calculator.
On most daytime DXB to LHR departures the sun favors the left side — sit on the right (a window on the right) for shade.
Sun side by season and departure time
| Season | Morning (8 am) | Midday (1 pm) | Evening (6 pm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| March equinox | Both | Left | Left |
| June solstice | Right | Left | Left |
| September equinox | Both | Left | Left |
| December solstice | Left | Left | Night |
What you’ll see on this flight
Views are mixed on this route, so they do not settle the seat choice. The right side is the shade side, so that is the cleaner pick overall.
This route is split on views, so the window choice comes down to shade: the right side is the better pick. You still get a useful mix of mountains, cities, and a clean approach into London.
Takeoff
On climbout, the first sights depend on the runway in use, but you can expect Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, and the Palm Islands close in around departure. Dubai and Sharjah can sit almost under you for a moment, so the view changes fast.
En route
- 1h 34m inRight →Zagros Mountains
About an hour and a half in, the Zagros Mountains sit off the right side. You get a long mountain band rather than a single peak.
- 2h 40m in← LeftMount Nemrut
Around two hours and 40 minutes in, Mount Nemrut is off the left. It is a lone mountain, so it stands out more clearly than the wider ranges around it.
- 4h 17m in← LeftBucharest
A little past four hours in, Bucharest passes on the left. This is a city view, not a skyline show, so expect a broad urban patch rather than a close pass.
- 5h 44m in← LeftBavarian Forest
About five and a half hours in, the Bavarian Forest is on the left. It reads as a low, wooded ridge rather than sharp peaks.
- 6h 19m inRight →Cologne
Near the end of cruise, Cologne, Bonn, Düsseldorf, and Aachen stack up on the right. They come in as a run of city shapes rather than one dramatic landmark.
Landing
On descent, the runway in use changes which side gets the final look, but the closing views favor the left: Beachy Head, Brighton and Hove, and Portsmouth all sit that way. London comes almost under you near the end, while Milton Keynes stays to the right.
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 DXB to LHR?
Across typical daytime departures, the sun predominantly hits the left side of the aircraft, so the right side stays shadier. Seat letters start at the left window, so choose the highest window letter (F on narrowbodies, K on many widebodies).
Which side has the sunset views on DXB 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 DXB to LHR?
The great-circle distance is 5,498 km (3,417 mi), which works out to roughly 6h 58m in the air on this northbound 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 for DXB to LHR?
Sit on the right. Views are mixed, so they do not decide it, and the right side is the shade side.
What can I see after takeoff from Dubai to London Heathrow?
Depending on the runway in use, you can see Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, and the Palm Islands near departure. Dubai and Sharjah pass very close and briefly.