While the right seat wins at Heathrow for the London cityscape, the left seat delivers more consistently across the full flight: the French Alps appear on the left as you cross France, the Adriatic coast of Italy and Albania is visible on the left, and the spectacular arrival into Kefallinia with Mount Ainos and the Ionian Sea is also best from the left. The alpine and Adriatic views outweigh the London departure advantage.
Flown LHR to EFL? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
London to Keffallinia is 1,372 miles (2,208 km), a flight of about 3 hours 30 minutes.
The route tracks southeast over France, crossing the Loire Valley and then the French Alps (Mont Blanc massif visible to the left at cruising altitude), before crossing northern Italy and the Adriatic Sea. The Apennine spine of Italy is visible below, followed by the Albanian and Greek coastlines. The final descent passes over the Ionian Islands chain including Lefkada and Ithaca before Kefallinia.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from LHR
RIGHTHeathrow typically departs eastward on runways 09L/09R, so a right (south-facing) seat gives views over central London as the aircraft climbs and turns southeast. You'll see the Thames snaking through the city, the Canary Wharf cluster, and the wider London sprawl before heading toward the Channel.
Landing at EFL
LEFTKefallinia airport sits on the northeast coast of the island, with runway 16/34 oriented roughly north-south. Arriving from the northwest, a left (east-facing) seat gives you views of the Ionian Sea, the island's dramatic mountainous interior including Mount Ainos, and the approach over the Gulf of Patras. The right seat faces inland toward the Peloponnese coast.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Heathrow (LHR) to Kefallinia (EFL)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from London to Keffallinia. While the right seat wins at Heathrow for the London cityscape, the left seat delivers more consistently across the full flight: the French Alps appear on the left as you cross France, the Adriatic coast of Italy and Albania is visible on the left, and the spectacular arrival into Kefallinia with Mount Ainos and the Ionian Sea is also best from the left. The alpine and Adriatic views outweigh the London departure advantage.
What can I see during takeoff from Heathrow in London?
During takeoff from Heathrow (LHR), sit on the Right side for the best views. Heathrow typically departs eastward on runways 09L/09R, so a right (south-facing) seat gives views over central London as the aircraft climbs and turns southeast. You'll see the Thames snaking through the city, the Canary Wharf cluster, and the wider London sprawl before heading toward the Channel. Notable sights include: River Thames bends through central London, Canary Wharf towers, Windsor Castle to the west before turning, M25 orbital motorway arc.
What can I see when landing at Kefallinia in Keffallinia?
When landing at Kefallinia (EFL), sit on the Left side for the best views. Kefallinia airport sits on the northeast coast of the island, with runway 16/34 oriented roughly north-south. Arriving from the northwest, a left (east-facing) seat gives you views of the Ionian Sea, the island's dramatic mountainous interior including Mount Ainos, and the approach over the Gulf of Patras. The right seat faces inland toward the Peloponnese coast. Notable sights include: Mount Ainos (1,628m, Kefallinia's highest peak), Ionian Sea turquoise shallows, Gulf of Patras, Argostoli Bay.
How long is the flight from London to Keffallinia?
The flight from Heathrow (LHR) to Kefallinia (EFL) takes about 3 hours 30 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 1,372 miles (2,208 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the London to Keffallinia flight path pass over?
The route tracks southeast over France, crossing the Loire Valley and then the French Alps (Mont Blanc massif visible to the left at cruising altitude), before crossing northern Italy and the Adriatic Sea. The Apennine spine of Italy is visible below, followed by the Albanian and Greek coastlines. The final descent passes over the Ionian Islands chain including Lefkada and Ithaca before Kefallinia.