LHR to DFW: which side of the plane should you sit on?
London (LHR) to Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) is a 7,627 km (4,739 mi), roughly 9h 28m westbound flight. Here is where the sun sits along that path, computed with the same astronomy as our live calculator.
On most daytime LHR to DFW 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 | Left | Left | Left |
| June solstice | Left | Left | Right |
| September equinox | Left | Left | Left |
| December solstice | Left | Left | Night |
What you’ll see on this flight
Views are mixed on this route, so they do not decide the seat. The shade side is the right side, and that is the better pick if you want less glare.
The view side is mixed on this route, so the window choice comes down to shade. Sit right for the quieter side of the sun.
Takeoff
Depending on the runway in use, the climb out can put London, London Bridge, Tower Bridge, and the City of Westminster off your right side at once. A minute later, Portsmouth sits off the left.
En route
- 10m in← LeftBristol
About 10 minutes in, Bristol is off the left. You get a city shape rather than a single landmark, so it passes quickly.
- 22m inRight →Snowdon
Around 22 minutes in, Snowdon is off the right. It is close enough to feel prominent, but it is not overhead.
- 47m in← LeftCliffs of Moher
About 47 minutes in, the Cliffs of Moher are off the left. You see a coastline edge, then it is gone.
- 7h 15m inRight →Lake Huron
Much later, around 7 hours 15 minutes in, Lake Huron is off the right. It reads as a broad inland water expanse from cruise altitude.
- 7h 52m inRight →Chicago
At about 7 hours 52 minutes in, Chicago sits off the right side as the flight heads west across the U.S.
- 8h 41m inRight →Ozarks
Roughly 8 hours 41 minutes in, the Ozarks are close on the right. They pass near enough to notice the rise of the terrain.
Landing
Depending on the runway in use, the descent can bring Dallas, Arlington, Garland, and Irving into view on the left, with Fort Worth on the right. Irving is nearly under you, so it slips by fast.
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 DFW?
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 LHR to DFW flights?
For sunrise or sunset views, sit on the side the table marks as the sun side for your departure time — that is where the light is.
How long is the flight from LHR to DFW?
The great-circle distance is 7,627 km (4,739 mi), which works out to roughly 9h 28m in the air on this westbound 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 of the plane has better views from LHR to DFW?
The route is mixed, so views do not settle the choice. Pick the right side for shade, or choose by preference if you want to watch the route unfold.
What do you see on takeoff from Heathrow to Dallas?
Depending on the runway in use, you can see London, London Bridge, Tower Bridge, and the City of Westminster off the right side. Portsmouth follows off the left about a minute later.