Choosing from more than 180 different routes British Airways’ pilots have selected their top 10 views from the air.
British Airways’ chief Boeing pilot, Captain Al Bridger, said: “We get some spectacular views from the cockpit but many of these can be seen by everyone on board, especially on our new 787 aircraft which have much larger windows.
“We always try to share our knowledge and point out some of the amazing sights that can be enjoyed from the air so that customers can begin sightseeing before they’ve even landed!”
1. Northern Lights – North America
‘If you’re not already asleep this is an amazing sight three to four hours into most long North America flights. Well worth staying up for!’ Captain Dave Willsher, British Airways
New York – British Airways offers three nights at the 3.5* Jolly Madison Towers, from £629 per person, for travel 2 Jan – 7 Feb. Including return flights from Heathrow to Newark and accommodation. For reservations visit ba.com/new-york or call 0844 493 0758.
Vancouver – British Airways offers three nights at the 3* Quality Hotel Vancouver – The Inn at False Creek, from £739 per person, for travel 1 Nov – 12 Dec. Including return flights from Heathrow to Vancouver and accommodation. For reservations visit ba.com/vancouver or call 0844 493 0758.
2. Central London – Approach into Heathrow
‘Most flights approach Heathrow from the east – a great opportunity to get an unbeatable view of London. A perfect welcome to London.’ Captain Mark Mannering-Smith, British Airways
Delhi – Stay three nights at the five star The Suryaa New Delhi, in Delhi, from £679 per person. Includes return flights from Heathrow to Delhi, room only. Based on travel between 1 – 30 Sept 2014. For reservations visit ba.com or call 0844 493 0758
Mumbai – Stay three nights at the 4.5 star Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach, in Mumbai, from £579 per person. Includes return flights from Heathrow to Mumbai, bed & breakfast. Based on travel between 1 Sept – 30 Sept 2014. For reservations visit ba.com or call 0844 493 0758
3. Mont Blanc – Pisa
‘A breathtaking view of the Alps and especially of Mont Blanc that comes around an hour into this two hour flight.’ First Officer Caroline Robinson, British Airways
Pisa – British Airways offers 3 nights at the 4* Hotel Galilei from £189 per person for travel in June. Includes return flights from Gatwick and accommodation with breakfast. For reservations visit ba.com or call 0844 493 0758
4. Sydney Harbour – on departure from Sydney
‘When leaving Sydney, sit on the right hand side of the aircraft to get the best views of Sydney Harbour.’ Captain Derek May, British Airways
Sydney – Stay five nights at the four star Mercure Sydney Potts Point, in Sydney, from £1,399 per person. Includes return flights from Heathrow to Sydney, room only. Based on travel between 1 – 30 Sept 2014. For reservations visit ba.com or call 0844 493 0758
5. Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz and bay – San Francisco
‘Great whichever side of the aircraft you’re on for flights departing San Francisco. You get great views of the bridge on the left hand side of the aircraft, Alcatraz from the right, and the bay from both!’ Captain Simon Scholey, British Airways
San Francisco – British Airways offers three nights at the 3* Whitcomb, from £769 per person, for travel 1 Nov – 30 Nov. Including return flights from Heathrow to San Francisco and accommodation. For reservations visit ba.com/sanfrancisco or call 0844 493 0758.
6. Greenland – North Atlantic flights
‘Greenland is visually stunning. The tips of mountains can be seen poking through the snow which is over a mile deep. Occasionally you will be able to see icebergs carving off glaciers around the coast.’ Senior First Officer Peter Nye, British Airways
Calgary – British Airways offers three nights at the 3* Sandman Hotel City Centre, from £849 per person, for travel 20 Oct – 23 Nov. Including return flights from Heathrow to Calgary and accommodation. For reservations visit ba.com/calgary or call 0844 493 0758.
7. Venetian canals – Venice
‘This is especially good on a departure to the North East as you circle back over the city.’ First Officer Joanne Tait, British Airways
Venice – British Airways offers 3 nights at the 3* Canal Hotel from £335 per person for travel in September. Includes return flights from London City and accommodation with breakfast. For reservations visit ba.com/venice or call 0844 493 0758
8. Cape Town, Table Mountain
‘On early morning arrivals from the North it’s great for Table Mountain and the bay.’ Senior First Officer Kate Laidler, British Airways
Cape Town – Stay five nights at the three star Holiday Inn Express Cape Town City Centre, in Cape Town, from £1019 per person. Includes flights from Heathrow to Cape Town, bed & breakfast. Based on travel between 1 – 30 Sept 2014. For reservations visit ba.com or call 0844 493 0758
9. Dubrovnik
‘A terrific approach into Dubrovnik over the bay to the North East.’ Captain Al Bridger, British Airways
Dubrovnik – British Airways offers 3 nights at the 5* More Hotel from £269 per person for travel in October. Includes return flights from Gatwick and accommodation with breakfast. For reservations visit ba.com/dubrovnik or call 0844 493 0758
10. Mount Fuji
‘Whether arriving or departing from Tokyo (Narita) you can see Mount Fuji sticking out of the clouds.’ Captain Chris Hanson, British Airways
Tokyo – Stay three nights at the four star the b akasaka, in Tokyo, from £709 per person. Includes flights from Heathrow to Narita, room only. Based on travel between 5 Sept – 30 Nov 2014. Book by 13 June 2014. For reservations visit ba.com or call 0844 493 0758
….and finally the Soyuz 35S space craft!
“While flying to Singapore I had the rare privilege of seeing the Soyuz 35S space craft returning to Earth. I later discovered that in addition to the three astronauts on board, it was also carrying the Olympic torch which had just been taking for a spacewalk for the first time ever!” Captain Simon Wijker, British Airways
Singapore – Stay three nights at the 3.5 star Bayview, in Singapore, from £929 per person. Includes flights from Heathrow to Singapore, bed & breakfast. Based on travel between 21 Sept – 30 Nov 2014. For reservations visit ba.com or call 0844 493 0758
British Airways has a total of 42 787s on order with six already flying services to Newark, Toronto, Austin, Chengdu and Hyderabad. As well as having windows that are 30 per cent larger than other aircraft the 787 gives one of the quietest and smoothest rides of any aircraft.
