About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Athinai (HEW) to Makedonia (SKG)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Athens to Thessaloniki. While takeoff offers urban and coastal views, the landing approach into Thessaloniki provides more dramatic natural scenery—the Thermaic Gulf, Mount Olympus, and the Pieria range create a more visually compelling sequence than the departure.
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 offer views of the Athenian urban sprawl and the Saronic Gulf coastline as the aircraft climbs northward. You'll see the city grid fade into the Aegean Sea, with the Argolic Peninsula visible across the water to the southeast. Notable sights include: Athens metropolitan area, Saronic Gulf, Argolic Peninsula, Mount Hymettus (eastern ridge of Athens basin).
What can I see when landing at Makedonia in Thessaloniki?
When landing at Makedonia (SKG), sit on the Left side for the best views. Left-side seats provide excellent views during descent into Thessaloniki. You'll see the Thermaic Gulf coastline, the city of Thessaloniki spreading along the waterfront, and the Olympus massif rising inland to the south—one of Greece's most dramatic mountain profiles. Notable sights include: Thermaic Gulf, Thessaloniki waterfront and harbor, Mount Olympus (southern horizon), Pieria mountain range.
How long is the flight from Athens to Thessaloniki?
The flight from Athinai (HEW) to Makedonia (SKG) takes Approximately 1 hour.
What does the Athens to Thessaloniki flight path pass over?
The flight path crosses the Thessalian Plain, one of Greece's largest agricultural regions, visible as a patchwork of fields and scattered towns. The Pagasetic Gulf appears to the left (east) around midpoint. The Pelion Peninsula may be visible to the southeast depending on exact routing. The Pindus Mountains form a distant ridge to the northwest. This is a relatively short domestic route with minimal dramatic topography along the direct path, but the departure and arrival bookend the flight with coastal and mountain views.