The left side wins across all three phases: Crete's White Mountains at takeoff, a cruise segment passing near the Adriatic coast and the Julian Alps/Dolomites, and the Pennine hills on final approach into Leeds. The right side is dominated by open sea at departure, flat Central European plains at cruise, and the featureless Vale of York on arrival.
Flown CHQ to LBA? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Chania to Leeds is 1,773 miles (2,854 km), a flight of about 3 hours 50 minutes.
The route's midpoint falls near the northern Adriatic coast around Trieste/Venice, where the flight path skirts the Julian Alps and Dolomites before continuing over southern Germany toward the Low Countries and North Sea.
Great circle distance and headings ›
Phase by phase
Takeoff from CHQ
LEFTDeparting CHQ on runway 29, the climb-out heads west-northwest over Souda Bay before the turn onto course, putting Crete's White Mountains and the Chania coastline on the left. The right side only shows open Cretan Sea with no landmarks.
Landing at LBA
LEFTOn final approach into LBA runway 32 from the southeast, the aircraft flies northwest with the Pennine hills and Yorkshire Dales fringe visible to the left, offering rolling moorland relief. The right side faces the flatter Vale of York, which is comparatively featureless from altitude.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Souda (CHQ) to Leeds Bradford (LBA)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Chania to Leeds. The left side wins across all three phases: Crete's White Mountains at takeoff, a cruise segment passing near the Adriatic coast and the Julian Alps/Dolomites, and the Pennine hills on final approach into Leeds. The right side is dominated by open sea at departure, flat Central European plains at cruise, and the featureless Vale of York on arrival.
What can I see during takeoff from Souda in Chania?
During takeoff from Souda (CHQ), sit on the Left side for the best views. Departing CHQ on runway 29, the climb-out heads west-northwest over Souda Bay before the turn onto course, putting Crete's White Mountains and the Chania coastline on the left. The right side only shows open Cretan Sea with no landmarks. Notable sights include: White Mountains (Lefka Ori), Chania old town and Venetian harbor, Souda Bay coastline, Akrotiri peninsula.
What can I see when landing at Leeds Bradford in Leeds?
When landing at Leeds Bradford (LBA), sit on the Left side for the best views. On final approach into LBA runway 32 from the southeast, the aircraft flies northwest with the Pennine hills and Yorkshire Dales fringe visible to the left, offering rolling moorland relief. The right side faces the flatter Vale of York, which is comparatively featureless from altitude. Notable sights include: Pennine hills and Yorkshire Dales fringe, Aire Valley, Bradford cityscape, Ilkley Moor.
How long is the flight from Chania to Leeds?
The flight from Souda (CHQ) to Leeds Bradford (LBA) takes about 3 hours 50 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 1,773 miles (2,854 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Chania to Leeds flight path pass over?
The route's midpoint falls near the northern Adriatic coast around Trieste/Venice, where the flight path skirts the Julian Alps and Dolomites before continuing over southern Germany toward the Low Countries and North Sea.