About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Athinai (HEW) to Shanghai Pudong International (PVG)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Athens to Shanghai. Right-side seats provide the most consistent visual interest across the flight. Departure offers the Aegean Sea and Greek mountains; the route crosses the Mediterranean, Balkans, and Black Sea region where right-side views face northward toward Turkey and the Caucasus; arrival approach to Shanghai favors left seats, but the outbound experience is superior.
What can I see during takeoff from Athinai in Athens?
During takeoff from Athinai (HEW), sit on the Right side for the best views. Right-side seats capture the Saronic Gulf and Aegean Sea immediately after departure. Athens typically departs runways 03L/03R (northeast heading) or 21L/21R (southwest heading). For northeast departures, the right side shows the Attica coastline and islands; for southwest departures, right seats face the Hymettus and Penteli mountain ranges. Notable sights include: Saronic Gulf, Aegean Sea, Hymettus Mountain Range, Attica Peninsula coastline.
What can I see when landing at Shanghai Pudong International in Shanghai?
When landing at Shanghai Pudong International (PVG), sit on the Left side for the best views. Left-side seats offer superior views during approach to Shanghai Pudong. Standard approaches use runways 08L/08R (eastbound) or 26L/26R (westbound). For eastbound approaches, left seats face the Huangpu River and Pudong skyline; for westbound approaches, left seats show Hangzhou Bay and the Yangtze River delta. Notable sights include: Huangpu River, Pudong financial district skyline, Yangtze River delta, Hangzhou Bay.
How long is the flight from Athens to Shanghai?
The flight from Athinai (HEW) to Shanghai Pudong International (PVG) takes Approximately 11.5 to 12.5 hours.
What does the Athens to Shanghai flight path pass over?
The flight path crosses the Ionian Sea, passes over Albania and Macedonia, skirts the Black Sea's northern coast, traverses the Caucasus region, crosses the Caspian Sea, continues over Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan steppes, then enters China via Xinjiang before descending toward Shanghai. Notable geographic features include the Pindus Mountains (Greece), Balkans, Black Sea coastline, Caucasus Mountains, Caspian Sea, Central Asian deserts, and the Tian Shan Mountains on the China-Kyrgyzstan border.