The right side wins overall because the long cruise segment passes south of the Alps and over the Adriatic and Ionian approaches to Greece, offering sustained mountain and coastline views, while the left side's advantage is limited to the final minutes of landing over Crete.
Flight Path
Eastern Alps near the Austrian-Italian border, the Adriatic Sea, the Balkan coastline of Albania or Greece, and the northern Greek mainland before the Aegean crossing to Crete
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from DUS
RIGHTDeparting DUS on runway 23 toward the southwest, the right side gives a brief but clear view of the Rhine River winding past Düsseldorf and Cologne before the aircraft turns onto its southeast course. The left side over the Ruhr area shows mostly flat industrial and suburban sprawl.
Landing at HER
LEFTOn approach to HER runway 27 from the east, the final turn brings the rugged interior of Crete into view on the left, including the Psiloritis (Mount Ida) massif and the terraced hillsides above Heraklion. The right side mostly faces open Aegean water during the descent.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Dusseldorf (DUS) to Nikos Kazantzakis (HER)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Duesseldorf to Heraklion. The right side wins overall because the long cruise segment passes south of the Alps and over the Adriatic and Ionian approaches to Greece, offering sustained mountain and coastline views, while the left side's advantage is limited to the final minutes of landing over Crete.
What can I see during takeoff from Dusseldorf in Duesseldorf?
During takeoff from Dusseldorf (DUS), sit on the Right side for the best views. Departing DUS on runway 23 toward the southwest, the right side gives a brief but clear view of the Rhine River winding past Düsseldorf and Cologne before the aircraft turns onto its southeast course. The left side over the Ruhr area shows mostly flat industrial and suburban sprawl. Notable sights include: Rhine River, Düsseldorf city center, Cologne skyline (distant), Ruhr valley outskirts.
What can I see when landing at Nikos Kazantzakis in Heraklion?
When landing at Nikos Kazantzakis (HER), sit on the Left side for the best views. On approach to HER runway 27 from the east, the final turn brings the rugged interior of Crete into view on the left, including the Psiloritis (Mount Ida) massif and the terraced hillsides above Heraklion. The right side mostly faces open Aegean water during the descent. Notable sights include: Psiloritis (Mount Ida), Cretan coastline near Heraklion, Heraklion harbor, terraced hill terrain.
How long is the flight from Duesseldorf to Heraklion?
The flight from Dusseldorf (DUS) to Nikos Kazantzakis (HER) takes 3h 35m.
What does the Duesseldorf to Heraklion flight path pass over?
Eastern Alps near the Austrian-Italian border, the Adriatic Sea, the Balkan coastline of Albania or Greece, and the northern Greek mainland before the Aegean crossing to Crete