Chania to London flight pathCHQLHR

Sit on the left side of the plane

Reverse

Which side of the plane?

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

Flight time3h 50m
Distance1,639
Heading320° → 303°
Best side
Left
★ 3.5 left·★ 3.0 right

The left side delivers the most memorable moments of the journey — Crete's White Mountains at departure and the Thames-London-Windsor sequence on arrival — while the right side's main advantage, distant Alpine peaks during cruise, is more fleeting and less consistently visible.

Takeoff · CHQLEFTLefka Ori, Chania old town and harbor, Souda Bay coastline
Landing · LHRLEFTRiver Thames and Canary Wharf towers, London Eye and Houses of Parliament, Windsor Castle

Flight Path

Flight path overview

Ionian Sea, southern Adriatic coastline near Albania and Montenegro, the Apennine ridge of Italy, and distant glimpses of the western Alps before the route continues over France

Great circle distance and headings ›

Phase by phase

Takeoff from CHQ

LEFT

Departing CHQ on runway 29 (heading roughly northwest), the initial turn puts the White Mountains (Lefka Ori) and Crete's rugged southern coastline squarely on the left, a dramatic contrast to the calmer bay views on the right.

Lefka OriChania old town and harborSouda Bay coastlineLibyan Sea horizon
Aerial window seat view during landing at London (left side) — River Thames and Canary Wharf towers, London Eye and Houses of Parliament, Windsor Castle, Heathrow's parallel runways

Landing at LHR

LEFT

On westerly arrivals into LHR, the descent path over east London typically tracks the Thames, giving left-side passengers a clear view of central London landmarks before the final turn toward Windsor and touchdown.

River Thames and Canary Wharf towersLondon Eye and Houses of ParliamentWindsor CastleHeathrow's parallel runways

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About This Route

Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Souda (CHQ) to Heathrow (LHR)?

Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Chania to London. The left side delivers the most memorable moments of the journey — Crete's White Mountains at departure and the Thames-London-Windsor sequence on arrival — while the right side's main advantage, distant Alpine peaks during cruise, is more fleeting and less consistently visible.

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 (heading roughly northwest), the initial turn puts the White Mountains (Lefka Ori) and Crete's rugged southern coastline squarely on the left, a dramatic contrast to the calmer bay views on the right. Notable sights include: Lefka Ori (White Mountains), Chania old town and harbor, Souda Bay coastline, Libyan Sea horizon.

What can I see when landing at Heathrow in London?

When landing at Heathrow (LHR), sit on the Left side for the best views. On westerly arrivals into LHR, the descent path over east London typically tracks the Thames, giving left-side passengers a clear view of central London landmarks before the final turn toward Windsor and touchdown. Notable sights include: River Thames and Canary Wharf towers, London Eye and Houses of Parliament, Windsor Castle, Heathrow's parallel runways.

How long is the flight from Chania to London?

The flight from Souda (CHQ) to Heathrow (LHR) takes 3h 50m.

What does the Chania to London flight path pass over?

Ionian Sea, southern Adriatic coastline near Albania and Montenegro, the Apennine ridge of Italy, and distant glimpses of the western Alps before the route continues over France