CHT

Best window seat at Chatham Islands

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

Te Whanga Lagoon, southern coastline of Chatham Island, scattered farmland/paddocks around the lagoon shore

LandingLEFT

Te Whanga Lagoon, Petre Bay, Waitangi township

🛫 Taking Off from Chatham Island (CHT)

Best sideLeft
WhyDeparting southwest on runway 23, the left side of the aircraft faces southeast across the island's interior, giving a clear view of Te Whanga Lagoon, the massive brackish lagoon that dominates the middle of Chatham Island. It's the single most distinctive geographic feature on the island and hard to miss from this angle during climb-out.
Look forTe Whanga Lagoon, southern coastline of Chatham Island, scattered farmland/paddocks around the lagoon shore, Pacific Ocean horizon beyond the south coast

🛬 Landing at Chatham Island (CHT)

Best sideLeft
WhyOn the typical runway 23 approach (landing to the southwest), the aircraft comes in from the northeast, and the left side faces roughly south-southeast toward Te Whanga Lagoon, the huge shallow lagoon that dominates the island's interior. The right side mostly shows open ocean with little else to see.
Look forTe Whanga Lagoon, Petre Bay, Waitangi township, low rolling farmland of central Chatham Island

Chatham Islands Airport is a small, single-runway airfield with a modest terminal serving limited scheduled flights from mainland New Zealand, primarily connecting the islands to Wellington and Christchurch.

⛰️ Elevation46 ft
🛫 Runways1 (05/23)

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About This Airport

Which side of the plane has the best views at Chatham Islands (CHT)?

At Chatham Islands in Chatham Island: for takeoff, sit on the Left side; for landing, sit on the Left side. Notable views include: Te Whanga Lagoon, southern coastline of Chatham Island, scattered farmland/paddocks around the lagoon shore, Pacific Ocean horizon beyond the south coast.

What can I see during takeoff from Chatham Islands in Chatham Island?

When taking off from Chatham Islands (CHT), sit on the Left side for the best views. Departing southwest on runway 23, the left side of the aircraft faces southeast across the island's interior, giving a clear view of Te Whanga Lagoon, the massive brackish lagoon that dominates the middle of Chatham Island. It's the single most distinctive geographic feature on the island and hard to miss from this angle during climb-out. Notable sights include: Te Whanga Lagoon, southern coastline of Chatham Island, scattered farmland/paddocks around the lagoon shore, Pacific Ocean horizon beyond the south coast.

What can I see when landing at Chatham Islands in Chatham Island?

When landing at Chatham Islands (CHT), sit on the Left side for the best views. On the typical runway 23 approach (landing to the southwest), the aircraft comes in from the northeast, and the left side faces roughly south-southeast toward Te Whanga Lagoon, the huge shallow lagoon that dominates the island's interior. The right side mostly shows open ocean with little else to see. Notable sights include: Te Whanga Lagoon, Petre Bay, Waitangi township, low rolling farmland of central Chatham Island.

What factors affect the best window seat at Chatham Islands?

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