About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Athinai (HEW) to The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International (ATL)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Athens to Atlanta. The Athens departure on the left side delivers the most dramatic and iconic single view of the flight — the Acropolis, Piraeus, and the Saronic Gulf simultaneously. The Atlanta arrival on the right is good but the approach geometry and suburban terrain are less spectacular. Left wins overall for the Athens departure alone.
What can I see during takeoff from Athinai in Athens?
During takeoff from Athinai (HEW), sit on the Left side for the best views. Athens airport (LGAV) typically departs westward on runway 03L/21R or 03R/21L. A westbound departure climbing out over Attica gives the left side a clear view of Athens city center, the Acropolis hill, and the Saronic Gulf. The right side faces inland toward less distinctive terrain. Notable sights include: Acropolis and Parthenon hill, Saronic Gulf islands (Aegina, Salamis), Athens urban grid, Mount Hymettus ridge.
What can I see when landing at The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International in Atlanta?
When landing at The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International (ATL), sit on the Right side for the best views. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta typically lands from the east on runways 08L/08R, meaning the aircraft approaches heading roughly west. The right side faces north, giving views of downtown Atlanta's skyline as the plane descends over the eastern suburbs. The left side faces south toward less distinctive suburban sprawl. Notable sights include: Downtown Atlanta skyline, Stone Mountain (granite dome 16 miles east of downtown), Lake Lanier reservoir to the north, I-285 perimeter highway loop.
How long is the flight from Athens to Atlanta?
The flight from Athinai (HEW) to The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International (ATL) takes Approximately 11 to 12 hours nonstop.
What does the Athens to Atlanta flight path pass over?
The route tracks northwest from Greece across the Ionian Sea, then over southern Italy and the boot of Italy, crosses the Tyrrhenian Sea, then over Sardinia or Corsica, exits Europe over the Bay of Biscay near the Franco-Spanish border, crosses the North Atlantic at high latitudes passing south of Iceland, makes landfall over Newfoundland or Nova Scotia, then tracks southwest over New England, the Appalachian Mountains, and the Carolinas before descending into Georgia. The Appalachians are visible during the final descent phase.