CHQ

Best window seat at Souda

Which side of the plane?

Pick the window seat with the view. 13,500 routes answered — landmarks, coastlines and cities, wing by wing.

Taking offLEFT

Souda Bay, Chania town and old harbor, White Mountains

LandingLEFT

Souda Bay and its naval anchorage, the White Mountains, Akrotiri peninsula coastline

🛫 Taking Off from Chania (CHQ)

Best sideLeft
WhyDeparting on runway 29 you climb out to the northwest over the Cretan Sea, so the left side gives you the best views back over Souda Bay, Chania town, and the dramatic White Mountains (Lefka Ori) rising to the south. The right side just faces open sea with little to see.
Look forSouda Bay, Chania town and old harbor, White Mountains (Lefka Ori), Akrotiri peninsula coastline

🛬 Landing at Chania (CHQ)

Best sideLeft
WhyOn the standard runway 29 approach, the aircraft flies northwest over the Akrotiri peninsula, and the left side faces south toward Souda Bay and the snow-capped White Mountains (Lefka Ori) rising behind Chania. It's a much more dramatic view than the open Cretan Sea on the right.
Look forSouda Bay and its naval anchorage, the White Mountains (Lefka Ori), Akrotiri peninsula coastline, Chania town in the distance to the south

Chania International Airport (Ioannis Daskalogiannis) sits on the Akrotiri peninsula and shares its single runway with the Hellenic Air Force's Souda Bay base. The terminal is modest in size, handling a mix of scheduled and charter traffic that surges heavily in summer.

⛰️ Elevation492 ft
🛫 Runways1 (11/29)
📍 NearbyHER 60 miKIT 81 mi

Connecting at CHQ?

Find out if your layover is long enough at Souda.

Check layover times →

About This Airport

Which side of the plane has the best views at Souda (CHQ)?

At Souda in Chania: for takeoff, sit on the Left side; for landing, sit on the Left side. Notable views include: Souda Bay, Chania town and old harbor, White Mountains (Lefka Ori), Akrotiri peninsula coastline.

What can I see during takeoff from Souda in Chania?

When taking off from Souda (CHQ), sit on the Left side for the best views. Departing on runway 29 you climb out to the northwest over the Cretan Sea, so the left side gives you the best views back over Souda Bay, Chania town, and the dramatic White Mountains (Lefka Ori) rising to the south. The right side just faces open sea with little to see. Notable sights include: Souda Bay, Chania town and old harbor, White Mountains (Lefka Ori), Akrotiri peninsula coastline.

What can I see when landing at Souda in Chania?

When landing at Souda (CHQ), sit on the Left side for the best views. On the standard runway 29 approach, the aircraft flies northwest over the Akrotiri peninsula, and the left side faces south toward Souda Bay and the snow-capped White Mountains (Lefka Ori) rising behind Chania. It's a much more dramatic view than the open Cretan Sea on the right. Notable sights include: Souda Bay and its naval anchorage, the White Mountains (Lefka Ori), Akrotiri peninsula coastline, Chania town in the distance to the south.

What factors affect the best window seat at Souda?

The best window seat at Souda (CHQ) depends on several factors: the typical runway used for your departure or arrival, the geographic features around Chania (mountains, coastlines, city skylines), weather conditions, and time of day. Morning and evening flights often offer the best lighting for scenic views.