Left side wins at both ends of the flight. Over Greece you get Athens, the Saronic Gulf, and the Aegean islands. Across the Balkans and central Europe the left side tracks closer to the Alps on some routings. Into London the left side delivers the Thames and the city skyline on a standard westerly approach.
Flown ATH to LHR? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Athens to London is 1,508 miles (2,427 km), a flight of about 3 hours 30 minutes.
The route crosses the Ionian Sea and Adriatic Sea, passes over or near the Italian peninsula or the former Yugoslav coast depending on routing, crosses the Alps or pre-Alpine ranges of Austria and Switzerland, then tracks over southern Germany and France or Belgium before crossing the English Channel into southeast England
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from ATH
LEFTAthens airport sits east of the city, and departures typically head west or northwest toward Europe. A left (south-facing) seat gives you the Saronic Gulf, the city of Athens, and the Acropolis hill as you climb out. The right side faces inland toward the relatively featureless Mesogeia plain.
Landing at LHR
LEFTHeathrow's main runway axis runs roughly east-west. Westerly landings on 27L/27R bring you in over central London from the east, and the left (south-facing) seat gives you the Thames corridor, the City of London, and the South Bank. The right side looks north over suburban Middlesex with far less to see.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Athens International Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH) to Heathrow (LHR)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Athens to London. Left side wins at both ends of the flight. Over Greece you get Athens, the Saronic Gulf, and the Aegean islands. Across the Balkans and central Europe the left side tracks closer to the Alps on some routings. Into London the left side delivers the Thames and the city skyline on a standard westerly approach.
What can I see during takeoff from Athens International Eleftherios Venizelos in Athens?
During takeoff from Athens International Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH), sit on the Left side for the best views. Athens airport sits east of the city, and departures typically head west or northwest toward Europe. A left (south-facing) seat gives you the Saronic Gulf, the city of Athens, and the Acropolis hill as you climb out. The right side faces inland toward the relatively featureless Mesogeia plain. Notable sights include: Acropolis hill and central Athens, Saronic Gulf with Aegina island, Piraeus port and its harbor basin, Cape Sounion peninsula to the southeast.
What can I see when landing at Heathrow in London?
When landing at Heathrow (LHR), sit on the Left side for the best views. Heathrow's main runway axis runs roughly east-west. Westerly landings on 27L/27R bring you in over central London from the east, and the left (south-facing) seat gives you the Thames corridor, the City of London, and the South Bank. The right side looks north over suburban Middlesex with far less to see. Notable sights include: Thames River bending through central London, City of London skyline with the Shard and Canary Wharf towers, Windsor Castle and Windsor Great Park to the west, Wembley Stadium arch visible to the north on left-seat approach.
How long is the flight from Athens to London?
The flight from Athens International Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH) to Heathrow (LHR) takes about 3 hours 30 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 1,508 miles (2,427 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Athens to London flight path pass over?
The route crosses the Ionian Sea and Adriatic Sea, passes over or near the Italian peninsula or the former Yugoslav coast depending on routing, crosses the Alps or pre-Alpine ranges of Austria and Switzerland, then tracks over southern Germany and France or Belgium before crossing the English Channel into southeast England