Belfast City Airport, Northern Ireland, United KingdomToday I would be leaving Belfast and flying back to London. Rather than the main airports Heathrow or Gatwick there is the new London City (Docklands) Airport which was opened in the 90s. It was discussed in the 80s growing up. I wanted to get a flight here so I can see the Thames and East London on landing but as it is a "Business Airport" the flights were more at 175 pounds vs 50 pounds had I flown to Heathrow.
As I'm from East London it was also more convenient to fly into the City Airport rather than waste time taking the train all the way back from Heathrow or Gatwick.
I was also departing from Belfast City Airport rather than Belfast International. Similar to the London City Airport, Belfast has its own "Business Airport" closer to the city centre. The bus to the airport conveniently stops by my apartment by the Albert clock.
I'm always debating which side to sit on a plane. I was on the wrong side to see any of Belfast but I had seen it on arrival.
The clouds cleared as we crossed the Irish Sea and I could see the Isle of Man, Douglas, the the wind farm I had passed on the ferry coming. Then I was able to make out the three piers of Blackpool and Manchester Airport before there was thick cloud cover again.
We emerged from the clouds by the sea so I was trying to navigate myself. I recognized sea rigs by the Thames estuary so was wondering why we had come so far. Then I was worried we would approach from the east and not see any of Central London.
They did a loop and followed the M2 motorway back to London. I made out Battersea power plant just west of the city centre before he tilted his wings up to turn the plane. I saw Buckingham Palace and Central London for a brief few seconds as the plane levelled.
He then made his descent over East London which I wanted. Having been gone for 15 years they have built so many high rises I didnt recognize any landmarks or roads except for the Stratford Olympic stadium.
I would say this flight was culture shock to have seen my childhood areas changed to the point they were unrecognizable by air. Tomorrow I would bike these places and orient myself more to the docklands.
See also vlog of flight (8 mins) - https://youtu.be/4_lIbapwK1Q
Wendy
2023-07-10
Great shots of London. Inevitably, I sit on the wrong side of a plane! And Alan always books wing seats to fit his very long legs in.
londone7
2023-07-10
People prefer to sit on the right to see the Thames but I wanted to sit on the left to see how much of East London I could recognize. Aside from the Stratford Olympic stadium I couldnt recognize most of it.