The great-circle route from Birmingham to Zakynthos passes almost directly over the southern Alps near Lake Garda and the Dolomites, then tracks down the Adriatic toward the Balkan coastline — all visible on the left side during cruise. This mountain-and-coast sequence outweighs the milder scenery (Italian Adriatic coast, English countryside) available on the right.
Flight Path
Eastern France near the Vosges/Luxembourg border, the southern Alps and Dolomites around Lake Garda in northern Italy, the Adriatic Sea off Puglia and the Gargano peninsula, and the Ionian Sea approaching the Greek islands
Great circle distance and headings ›.jpeg?width=600)
Phase by phase
Takeoff from BHX
RIGHTBHX typically departs southeast on runway 15, so the right side faces southwest toward Worcestershire and the Malvern Hills rather than the flatter, more built-up West Midlands on the left. It's a modest advantage on otherwise gentle English countryside.
Landing at ZTH
RIGHTOn the common summer approach to runway 34 at ZTH (flown over land from the south due to Meltemi winds), the final turn puts Zakynthos Town, its harbor, and the narrow strait toward the Peloponnese on the right, while the left shows mostly the island's interior hills.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Birmingham (BHX) to Zakinthos Dionysios Solomos (ZTH)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Birmingham to Zakynthos. The great-circle route from Birmingham to Zakynthos passes almost directly over the southern Alps near Lake Garda and the Dolomites, then tracks down the Adriatic toward the Balkan coastline — all visible on the left side during cruise. This mountain-and-coast sequence outweighs the milder scenery (Italian Adriatic coast, English countryside) available on the right.
What can I see during takeoff from Birmingham in Birmingham?
During takeoff from Birmingham (BHX), sit on the Right side for the best views. BHX typically departs southeast on runway 15, so the right side faces southwest toward Worcestershire and the Malvern Hills rather than the flatter, more built-up West Midlands on the left. It's a modest advantage on otherwise gentle English countryside. Notable sights include: Malvern Hills (distant ridge), Cotswold escarpment, River Severn valley, Worcestershire farmland patchwork.
What can I see when landing at Zakinthos Dionysios Solomos in Zakynthos?
When landing at Zakinthos Dionysios Solomos (ZTH), sit on the Right side for the best views. On the common summer approach to runway 34 at ZTH (flown over land from the south due to Meltemi winds), the final turn puts Zakynthos Town, its harbor, and the narrow strait toward the Peloponnese on the right, while the left shows mostly the island's interior hills. Notable sights include: Zakynthos Town harbor, Bochali hill and Venetian castle ruins, the narrow strait toward the Peloponnese, Ionian Sea coastline.
How long is the flight from Birmingham to Zakynthos?
The flight from Birmingham (BHX) to Zakinthos Dionysios Solomos (ZTH) takes 3h 35m.
What does the Birmingham to Zakynthos flight path pass over?
Eastern France near the Vosges/Luxembourg border, the southern Alps and Dolomites around Lake Garda in northern Italy, the Adriatic Sea off Puglia and the Gargano peninsula, and the Ionian Sea approaching the Greek islands