About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Makedonia (SKG) to Schwechat (VIE)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Thessaloniki to Vienna. The takeoff view from the left is more dramatic and geographically distinctive, with the Thermaic Gulf and Pieria Mountains providing clear visual anchors. While the landing on the right offers the Danube's scenic meanders, the takeoff experience is more rewarding for window-seat geography enthusiasts.
What can I see during takeoff from Makedonia in Thessaloniki?
During takeoff from Makedonia (SKG), sit on the Left side for the best views. SKG typically departs runway 03L/21R (north-south orientation). Left seats face west during northbound climb, offering views of the Thermaic Gulf and the Pieria Mountains rising inland. Right seats see only the airport grounds and urban sprawl. Notable sights include: Thermaic Gulf (Aegean water body immediately west), Pieria Mountains (snow-capped in winter, visible as a ridge inland), Olympus massif (distant peak on the horizon to the northwest), Thessaloniki city grid (receding beneath the aircraft).
What can I see when landing at Schwechat in Vienna?
When landing at Schwechat (VIE), sit on the Right side for the best views. Approaching Vienna on runway 11L/29R (northeast-southwest), right seats face north during descent. This reveals the Danube River's distinctive meanders, the flat Pannonian Plain, and the forested Vienna Woods (Wienerwald) foothills approaching the airport. Notable sights include: Danube River (multiple visible loops and oxbow bends), Vienna Woods/Wienerwald (forested hills north of the city), Pannonian Plain (flat agricultural landscape), Schwechat airport infrastructure (visible at 2,000 feet).
How long is the flight from Thessaloniki to Vienna?
The flight from Makedonia (SKG) to Schwechat (VIE) takes Approximately 2 hours 15 minutes.
What does the Thessaloniki to Vienna flight path pass over?
The flight path crosses the Balkans northwestward, passing over the Pindus Mountains (Greece-Albania border region), then over the Šar Mountains and Kosovo highlands. The Danube River valley becomes visible in the final descent phase. No major bodies of water are crossed mid-flight; the route is primarily over mountainous terrain gradually transitioning to the Pannonian Plain.