About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Hong Kong International (HKG) to Helsinki Malmi (HEM)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Hong Kong to Helsinki. Takeoff views from Hong Kong are significantly more dramatic and geographically distinctive than landing views at Helsinki Malmi. The right-side departure view of Victoria Harbour and Kowloon's dense urban landscape outweighs the modest archipelago views on approach to a smaller airport.
What can I see during takeoff from Hong Kong International in Hong Kong?
During takeoff from Hong Kong International (HKG), sit on the Right side for the best views. Hong Kong International typically departs eastbound (runways 07L/07R). Right-side seats offer views of Victoria Harbour, Kowloon Peninsula, and the New Territories as the aircraft climbs over Hong Kong Island. Left seats face inland toward the less dramatic terrain. Notable sights include: Victoria Harbour (water body separating Hong Kong Island from Kowloon), Kowloon Peninsula urban sprawl, New Territories extending northward, Hong Kong Island's central ridge.
What can I see when landing at Helsinki Malmi in Helsinki?
When landing at Helsinki Malmi (HEM), sit on the Left side for the best views. Helsinki Malmi (EFHF) is a smaller airport northeast of central Helsinki. Approaches typically use runways 09/27. Left-side seats on descent offer views of the Baltic Sea coastline, Helsinki's archipelago, and the city's waterfront districts. Right seats face inland toward less distinctive terrain. Notable sights include: Baltic Sea and Helsinki archipelago (islands and skerries), Helsinki city center waterfront, Vantaa industrial area to the east, Finnish lake systems inland.
How long is the flight from Hong Kong to Helsinki?
The flight from Hong Kong International (HKG) to Helsinki Malmi (HEM) takes Approximately 11-12 hours.
What does the Hong Kong to Helsinki flight path pass over?
The flight path crosses the South China Sea, then proceeds northwest over mainland China (Yunnan/Tibet plateau regions at altitude), continues over the Himalayas and Hindu Kush ranges, crosses Central Asia (Kazakhstan steppe), then enters Eastern Europe over Russia (Urals, Western Siberian Plain), and finally approaches Scandinavia over the Baltic region. Most of this routing occurs at cruise altitude (35,000+ feet) where individual landmarks are difficult to distinguish; the Himalayas and Urals may be visible as distant mountain ranges on clear days.