Above London England

[DLLB]

On a recent trip to England, we were lucky enough to have a beautiful sunny day when we landed around 09:00 so there was plenty of picture taking opportunities.

We swung in from the northwest of London proper towards the southeast and then swung around to land at Heathrow from the east.

I believe this is the new Emirates Stadium in Ashburton Grove which is north east of downtown London.






Looking south towards 'downtown' London. The London Eye is just right of centre. There is another plane at the top centre.






Looking Southwest. The London Eye is in the upper left.






Looking back at the Emirates Stadium






Looking west along the Thames. The London Eye and Houses of Parliament are on the left. St. James Park and Buckingham Palace are just right of centre.






Close up view of the London Eye and the Houses of Parliament. I believe that is Waterloo Station in the lower left.






A larger view looking west along the Thames with Tower Bridge in the lower left. In the upper centre is St. James Park and then Hyde Park with The Serpentine in the lower left of the park.






Close up of the Financial District. The ‘Gherkin’ by Foster + Partners is visible on the left. They are the architects for the Bow in Calgary which will be about 770’






St. Pauls Cathedral is in the lower left.






This is a close up of Tower Bridge and the Tower of London.






A wide range shot looking north north west with Tower Bridge just left of centre in the lower part and Emirates Stadium in the upper left






Looking north along the Thames, a close up of the London eye and the Houses of Parliament.






St. James Park with Buckingham Palace






Looking north east with St. James Park on the right and Hyde Park on the left






Looking north at Hyde Park. The Serpentine is visible snaking through the park






Albert Hall and Albert Memorial in Hyde Park. The lower part is blurry from the airplanes exhaust.






Wembley Stadium.






A series of shots just before landing at Heathrow. It always amazes me how much green space there is in London

[ChrisLA]

Beautiful photos, its exactly like I remember coming into London recently. I wanted to take pictures, but was afraid too get scolded by the aircraft crew. There would have been no way I could have been descreet with the big camera I had.

Anyway London from above made me think of a big american city. Its so large and sprawled out something I'm wasn't used to seeing in landing in other european cities. The city is also look very neatly landscaped from the air, and I love all of the green spaces I remember seeing.

[OhioGuy]

Oh now that is sweet! So the flight attendants didn't scold you for the use of electronic devices while landing? I was scolded by an American Airlines flight attendent when I decided to snap a photo while descending into Chicago last week.

[olga]

Wow, that's nice.

[DLLB]

Originally Posted by OhioGuy

Oh now that is sweet! So the flight attendants didn't scold you for the use of electronic devices while landing? I was scolded by an American Airlines flight attendent when I decided to snap a photo while descending into Chicago last week.

Not a word. I have never heard that before. They have stated that you can't use laptops or cell phones, but I have never heard that you can't use cameras.

[HomeInMyShoes]

Very cool DLLB.

[OhioGuy]

Originally Posted by DLLB

Not a word. I have never heard that before. They have stated that you can't use laptops or cell phones, but I have never heard that you can't use cameras.

Well it was the camera on my cell phone. I wasn't using the phone itself. Just snapping a photo of the scene out my window.

[Chelsea Spy]

Fantastic pictures - you had an amazingly clear view... did you have to circle endlessly waiting to land (Heathrow, like everywhere else in London, always being so congested!!)

[denveraztec]

Wonderful shots! Never seen London from the air on this forum, it does look like an American city from the air. The latest on planes is that "all electronic devices and anything that has an on and off button, need to be turned off". This includes cameras, so you need to use small hand held in order to be inconspicuous.

[Austinlee]

Nice pics.

However, I think London is one of those places that is much more impressive more towards ground level.

[Chelsea Spy]

Originally Posted by denveraztec

Wonderful shots! Never seen London from the air on this forum, it does look like an American city from the air. .

I'm kind of surprised people think this - American cities are all grids and right angles, with straight streets stretching off to the horizon. All of London's streets are very wonky!! The city has virtually no grids!

[Sekkle]

Sweet!

[waterloowarrior]

excellent shots, thanks... what a treat to have such a great view when flying into London!

[natepdx]

Originally Posted by PA Pride

Nice pics.

However, I think London is one of those places that is much more impressive more towards ground level.

I rather agree that London does have an "American" look from the air but as one gets closer the ground the differerences do become apparent. Nice pics

[brickell]

Amazing shots of an amazing city.
I personally don't get that it looks American from above. From the tightly grouped row houses in the suburbs, to the windy roads, to the low slung density, it all seemed very "not in kansas anymore" when I flew in.

[DLLB]

Originally Posted by Chelsea Spy

Fantastic pictures - you had an amazingly clear view... did you have to circle endlessly waiting to land (Heathrow, like everywhere else in London, always being so congested!!)

I wish we had. Unfortunately we went right in but I can't complain as the weather could not have been better.

[Top Of The Park]

...now thats impressive!

[peanut gallery]

Originally Posted by Chelsea Spy

All of London's streets are very wonky!! The city has virtually no grids!

That's what struck me about London. It's so organic -- like everything just developed independent of everything else with virtually no planning whatsoever. But it works! I love the place.

[James Bond Agent 007]

Cool stuff!

[dfane]

amazing

I especially like the pic of all of the bridges on the river.