During cruise the right side of the aircraft faces the Austrian and Slovenian Alps near Salzburg and Ljubljana, then the Adriatic Sea and Albanian coastal mountains, and finally the Pindus range of mainland Greece—far more dramatic and varied terrain than the flatter Balkan interior visible from the left, even though the left side wins the brief takeoff and landing moments.
Flight Path
The route crosses the eastern Alps near Salzburg, the Julian Alps and Dinaric ranges over Slovenia and Croatia, a stretch of the Adriatic Sea near Montenegro/Albania, the Pindus mountains of mainland Greece, and the Aegean Sea with scattered islands before reaching Crete's north coast.
Great circle distance and headings ›
.jpg?width=600)
Phase by phase
Takeoff from FRA
LEFTDeparting FRA on the westerly runway configuration, the aircraft banks left shortly after takeoff to turn onto its southeasterly routing, sweeping the left side across the Frankfurt skyline and Main River before settling on course. The right side mostly shows the flatter Rhine-Main plain.
Landing at HER
LEFTOn final approach to runway 27, the aircraft comes in from the east and tracks west along Crete's north coast, putting the island's mountainous interior on the left side while the right side only faces open Aegean water.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
Will your flight be in sunlight?
See exactly which side of the plane gets sun and shade at your departure time.
About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Frankfurt Main (FRA) to Nikos Kazantzakis (HER)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Frankfurt to Heraklion. During cruise the right side of the aircraft faces the Austrian and Slovenian Alps near Salzburg and Ljubljana, then the Adriatic Sea and Albanian coastal mountains, and finally the Pindus range of mainland Greece—far more dramatic and varied terrain than the flatter Balkan interior visible from the left, even though the left side wins the brief takeoff and landing moments.
What can I see during takeoff from Frankfurt Main in Frankfurt?
During takeoff from Frankfurt Main (FRA), sit on the Left side for the best views. Departing FRA on the westerly runway configuration, the aircraft banks left shortly after takeoff to turn onto its southeasterly routing, sweeping the left side across the Frankfurt skyline and Main River before settling on course. The right side mostly shows the flatter Rhine-Main plain. Notable sights include: Frankfurt skyline (Commerzbank Tower, Messeturm), Main River, Rhine-Main plain, distant Taunus hills.
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 final approach to runway 27, the aircraft comes in from the east and tracks west along Crete's north coast, putting the island's mountainous interior on the left side while the right side only faces open Aegean water. Notable sights include: Psiloritis (Mount Ida) foothills, Heraklion's coastal district, olive-terraced hillsides, Cretan coastline.
How long is the flight from Frankfurt to Heraklion?
The flight from Frankfurt Main (FRA) to Nikos Kazantzakis (HER) takes 3h 25m.
What does the Frankfurt to Heraklion flight path pass over?
The route crosses the eastern Alps near Salzburg, the Julian Alps and Dinaric ranges over Slovenia and Croatia, a stretch of the Adriatic Sea near Montenegro/Albania, the Pindus mountains of mainland Greece, and the Aegean Sea with scattered islands before reaching Crete's north coast.