LHR to AMS: which side of the plane should you sit on?
London (LHR) to Amsterdam (AMS) is a 370 km (230 mi), roughly 0h 56m eastbound flight. Here is where the sun sits along that path, computed with the same astronomy as our live calculator.
On most daytime LHR to AMS 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 | Right | Left |
| June solstice | Right | Right | Left |
| September equinox | Right | Right | Left |
| December solstice | Right | Right | Night |
What you’ll see on this flight
The right side gives you the views, and the left side gives you the shade. If you want the scenery, pick right. If you want a calmer window, pick left.
Sit on the right for the best views. That side also gets the sun, so you choose between scenery and glare. A morning or evening flight can soften it a bit, but the tradeoff stays real.
Takeoff
After takeoff from LHR, depending on the runway in use, the right side gets the early show. London comes up almost under you about 4 minutes in, then the route pushes toward the coast. With the sun also on the right, you may want the window shade handy.
En route
- 17m inRight →White Cliffs of Dover
About 17 minutes in, the White Cliffs of Dover sit off the right side. You get a clean chalk-white edge against the coast.
- 17m inRight →Strait of Dover
At the same point, the Strait of Dover is also on the right. It reads as a narrow strip of water rather than a wide sea view.
- 27m in← LeftThe Broads
Around 27 minutes in, The Broads drift by on the left. It is a low, watery patchwork, so it is not the main draw on this route.
- 41m inRight →Ghent
Near 41 minutes in, Ghent appears on the right as you start down. It is a city view rather than a big skyline, but it keeps the route active.
- 48m inRight →Antwerp
Around 48 minutes in, Antwerp stays on the right as another descent marker. It comes and goes quickly, but it helps confirm you are on the better side.
Landing
On approach to AMS, depending on the runway in use, the right side keeps most of the interest. The Hague and Rotterdam line up on that side during descent, while the last stretch also brings Tilburg into view on the right. If you are on the left, you still get a look at Almere and Marken near landing, but the stronger views are on the other side.
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 LHR to AMS?
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 LHR to AMS 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 LHR to AMS?
The great-circle distance is 370 km (230 mi), which works out to roughly 0h 56m 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 from LHR to AMS?
Sit on the right. It has the better views on this route, though it also gets the sun.
Will the left side have any views on LHR to AMS?
Yes, but it is the weaker side. You do get The Broads, and near landing you can catch Almere and Marken.