For many, the window seat in a plane is a treasured spot – because the views from 38,000ft can be spectacular.
But the best seats in a plane, as these incredible photographs show, is in the cockpit.
Monarch pilots Paul Fox and Ashish Raval now have thousands of Instagram followers thanks to the stunning images that they upload. And they’ve allowed MailOnline Travel to publish a selection of their snaps.
Fox took this stunning image as he flew from Leeds early one morning. In his caption he wrote: ‘The power stations on the east coast of Yorkshire stand proud above the early morning mists… just love my job!’
An ‘epic’ view of London at night during a crystal clear evening
Fox captures a lightning storm in a truly stunning image
A thunderstorm as seen from 39,000ft. This is one of many images that has helped Fox win thousands of Instagram followers
Raval captures Nice airport on France’s Mediterranean coast in a mesmerising shot
Both pilots picked out the Alps, pictured, as one of the best views for a pilot above Europe
Raval, from London, who’s been with Monarch for 18 months and is based at London Gatwick, says that gazing down at the Alps is his favourite view from the cockpit over Europe, where Monarch flies.
The senior first officer said: ‘They leave me speechless. They make for some of the best views I have ever seen from the flight deck.
‘Whether it be the Austrian, Swiss, Italian or French Alps, they all make for incredible scenes. Flying into Venice, the descent allows you to get a slightly closer and better view of the Alps.’
Captain Fox snapped this while high over the Cantabrian mountains in Spain
Raval explained in the caption for this picture of a Dreamliner soaring past his plane that ‘it’s all about being at the right place at the right time’
Fox captioned this: ‘Missile away! Snow on the Alps and traffic below us on the same routing. Another great day in the office’
This dramatic image shows huge forest fires in Portugal, seen from 39,000ft
It’s no wonder that Captain Fox describes his ‘office view’ as ‘the best in the world’
Wind turbines on the North Wales coast captured as Fox few into Manchester. He said that they made for ‘a strange and surreal image’
Manchester may be wet and windy – but the weather at least helps to create arty photographs
Another plane streaks away from Fox’s aircraft far below. He has been flying with Monarch for 12 years
Captain Fox, who’s been flying with Monarch for 12 years, agrees that the range is ‘always an amazing sight’, but added that when Monarch used to fly to America, he also enjoyed peering down at the ice sheets over Greenland.
Raval also enjoys the view coming in to land at Lisbon.
He said: ‘If you’re landing on the northerly runway into Lisbon, you begin by paralleling the airfield before coming over Sintra, which is absolutely stunning. Then going out towards the Atlantic Ocean passing over Cascais (a small town off the coast, north of Lisbon).
Madrid International Airport captured by Raval, who has been with Monarch for 18 months
Raval’s favourite place to stay is the W in Barcelona – and the city has been captured by the pilot here in a superb image
Snowy peaks huddle below Fox’s plane as it cruises high above. Fox said he ‘particularly enjoys landing at Leeds Bradford Airport’ because ‘it is always an interesting arrival due to the shorter runway, often there are strong crosswinds and a great view of the Yorkshire Hills whatever the weather’
Of this picture, Fox said: ‘It’s very rare to have such a clear day over the UK, but a few months ago we were lucky enough to have this amazing view across beautiful Wales. Taken in the cruise, we were heading westbound towards Ireland, just skirting the northern tip of Anglesey. If you look closely you can make out the Menai Straits, the Snowdonia mountain range and the Llyn peninsula’
A huge thunderstorm pictured gathering on the south coast of the UK
This bank of clouds was photographed by Fox as he entered UK airspace. ‘It reminded me of an Antarctic ice sheet,’ he wrote. ‘Never lose your sense of wonder’
Another Monarch aircraft descends into Tenerife amid wispy clouds and a dusky sky
‘Looping back around you as you come on to the final approach you go over arguably one of the best views imaginable.
‘As you pass you approach the 25 de Abril Bridge and you can see the stunning statue of Christ in Almada on the right. On the left side of the bridge you have Santa Maria de Belem, where the famous Belem Tower and delicious Pasteis de Belem reside – and further along you have an important historical monument dedicated to Portuguese explorer Vasco Da Gama.’
Fox, meanwhile, always particularly enjoys landing at Leeds Bradford Airport because ‘it is always an interesting arrival due to the shorter runway, often there are strong crosswinds and a great view of the Yorkshire Hills whatever the weather’.
Fox describes in the caption for this photograph, taken in Menorca, how it was taken shortly after negotiating a thunderstorm. He wrote: ‘Using the weather radar and our training we were able to thread our way through the gathering tempest and land safely at our destination. Shortly after landing I managed to snap this great photo of the storm front’
The Algarve glistens in the sun, with Raval pointing out that the Vale de Lobo resort can be seen below
Another plane streaks across a very snowy mountain range
This shot was taken as Fox accelerated away from Palma de Mallorca as the sun set. He explained that he uses a GoPro to take photos at timed intervals, so that ‘flight safety is never compromised’
On your left, another epic view of the Alps, with clouds covering the valleys
Raval added that flying to Gibraltar is also something to savour.
He said: ‘If the winds are favouring the westerly runway you get to hand fly the departure around the Rock of Gibraltar. This makes for some pretty stunning views.
‘It’s a unique airfield. Right in the middle of the runway you have a road that goes across to the other side and on take-off you see the traffic on both sides waiting to pass as the plane departs.’
The British territory is also home to a great hotel, according to Fox, who comes from Cornwall.
The Humber snakes towards the sea in this image taken during a beautiful sunrise
Mont Blanc pokes through the clouds in this picture taken from 37,000ft
He said: ‘I really want to visit the Sunborn Gibraltar. I have had colleagues stay and say it really is a fantastic hotel.’
Raval’s favourite place to stay is the W Barcelona.
He said: ‘W Barcelona is my favourite hotel so far. Ideally located on the beach and within 10 minutes’ walk to La Rambla, it enables you to enjoy panoramic views of both ocean and city.
‘The rooms are beautiful and the hospitality is great. It’s the perfect combination. I especially love the infinity pool, which overlooks the city. The view from eclipse bar inside the W is amazing, offering awesome views.’
Monarch will soon be serving all these destinations with new Boeing 737 Max 8 aeroplanes.
‘They’re going to transform the customer experience,’ said Raval.
And no doubt he’ll be posting some incredible pictures of them on his feed, along with his Instagramming colleague.