Left side wins at both ends of the flight. During the cruise over the Balkans, the left side also faces south-southeast, giving views toward the Adriatic coastline and eventually the Greek island chains as you descend. Right side has little to compete with across the flat Hungarian plain and northern Aegean.
Flight Path
The flight tracks southeast over Bavaria, then Austria and the eastern Alps (visible as a snow-capped ridge), across Hungary's flat Pannonian Plain, over Serbia and North Macedonia, then descends over northern Greece and the northern Aegean Sea before reaching the Cyclades island chain and Santorini.
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from FRA
LEFTFrankfurt departures on runway 07L/07R head eastward, and a left (north) seat gives you a view back over Frankfurt city center as you climb out, including the Main River bends and the Sachsenhausen district. Right seats face south toward the Taunus foothills but miss the city core.
Landing at JTR
LEFTSantorini's runway 34 means aircraft typically approach from the south heading north, or depart northward. On approach from the north heading south (runway 16), a left seat faces east toward the caldera and the iconic cliffs of Fira and Oia perched on the western rim. The caldera's flooded volcanic crater is the defining visual feature and is best seen from the left side as you descend over the Aegean.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Frankfurt Main (FRA) to Santorini (JTR)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Frankfurt to Santorini. Left side wins at both ends of the flight. During the cruise over the Balkans, the left side also faces south-southeast, giving views toward the Adriatic coastline and eventually the Greek island chains as you descend. Right side has little to compete with across the flat Hungarian plain and northern Aegean.
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. Frankfurt departures on runway 07L/07R head eastward, and a left (north) seat gives you a view back over Frankfurt city center as you climb out, including the Main River bends and the Sachsenhausen district. Right seats face south toward the Taunus foothills but miss the city core. Notable sights include: Main River bends through Frankfurt, Sachsenhausen district rooftops, Rhine-Main flatlands stretching west, Taunus ridge on the northern horizon.
What can I see when landing at Santorini in Santorini?
When landing at Santorini (JTR), sit on the Left side for the best views. Santorini's runway 34 means aircraft typically approach from the south heading north, or depart northward. On approach from the north heading south (runway 16), a left seat faces east toward the caldera and the iconic cliffs of Fira and Oia perched on the western rim. The caldera's flooded volcanic crater is the defining visual feature and is best seen from the left side as you descend over the Aegean. Notable sights include: Santorini caldera and flooded volcanic crater, Fira and Oia cliff-top settlements on the western rim, Nea Kameni volcanic island in the caldera center, deep blue Aegean Sea surrounding the island arc.
How long is the flight from Frankfurt to Santorini?
The flight from Frankfurt Main (FRA) to Santorini (JTR) takes Approximately 3 hours 15 minutes.
What does the Frankfurt to Santorini flight path pass over?
The flight tracks southeast over Bavaria, then Austria and the eastern Alps (visible as a snow-capped ridge), across Hungary's flat Pannonian Plain, over Serbia and North Macedonia, then descends over northern Greece and the northern Aegean Sea before reaching the Cyclades island chain and Santorini.