While St. Louis offers a scenic departure with the Gateway Arch and Mississippi River, the landing approach into Copenhagen is significantly more dramatic and varied. The Øresund Strait crossing, the Malmö-Copenhagen bridge, and the transition from open water to the Danish coast provide more distinctive visual landmarks and geographic variety than the flat Midwest cruise segment. The right side captures both the water crossing and coastal approach, scoring higher overall.
Flown STL to CPH? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
St. Louis to Copenhagen is 4,514 miles (7,265 km), a flight of about 8 hours 45 minutes.
The flight path crosses the North Atlantic at high altitude. Notable geographic features along the route include: the Appalachian Mountains visible during the initial eastbound climb from St. Louis; the Atlantic coastline near Nova Scotia or Newfoundland during the transatlantic crossing (typically at cruise altitude, appearing as a thin line on the horizon); the southern tip of Greenland or the Denmark Strait region during the mid-Atlantic phase; and the Norwegian coast or North Sea approaching European airspace. Most of the cruise segment is open ocean with no visible landmarks. The approach to Copenhagen brings views of the Scandinavian coast, the Kattegat strait region, and finally the Øresund Strait and Danish islands.
Great circle distance and headings ›
Phase by phase
Takeoff from STL
LEFTSt. Louis sits on the Mississippi River with the Gateway Arch as a distinctive landmark. Left-side departures heading northeast offer immediate views of the river valley and urban core before climbing over relatively flat terrain.
Landing at CPH
RIGHTThe approach to Copenhagen from the west crosses the Øresund Strait and Danish coastline, offering views of the Sound's shipping lanes, the Malmö-Copenhagen bridge infrastructure, and the Sjælland coast. Right-side seats capture the water crossing and coastal approach into Kastrup.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Lambert St Louis International (STL) to Kastrup (CPH)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from St. Louis to Copenhagen. While St. Louis offers a scenic departure with the Gateway Arch and Mississippi River, the landing approach into Copenhagen is significantly more dramatic and varied. The Øresund Strait crossing, the Malmö-Copenhagen bridge, and the transition from open water to the Danish coast provide more distinctive visual landmarks and geographic variety than the flat Midwest cruise segment. The right side captures both the water crossing and coastal approach, scoring higher overall.
What can I see during takeoff from Lambert St Louis International in St. Louis?
During takeoff from Lambert St Louis International (STL), sit on the Left side for the best views. St. Louis sits on the Mississippi River with the Gateway Arch as a distinctive landmark. Left-side departures heading northeast offer immediate views of the river valley and urban core before climbing over relatively flat terrain. Notable sights include: Gateway Arch and downtown St. Louis riverfront, Mississippi River valley, Illinois plains extending eastward.
What can I see when landing at Kastrup in Copenhagen?
When landing at Kastrup (CPH), sit on the Right side for the best views. The approach to Copenhagen from the west crosses the Øresund Strait and Danish coastline, offering views of the Sound's shipping lanes, the Malmö-Copenhagen bridge infrastructure, and the Sjælland coast. Right-side seats capture the water crossing and coastal approach into Kastrup. Notable sights include: Øresund Strait and Malmö-Copenhagen bridge, Danish coastline and Amager Island, Copenhagen harbor and Kastrup airport area.
How long is the flight from St. Louis to Copenhagen?
The flight from Lambert St Louis International (STL) to Kastrup (CPH) takes about 8 hours 45 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 4,514 miles (7,265 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the St. Louis to Copenhagen flight path pass over?
The flight path crosses the North Atlantic at high altitude. Notable geographic features along the route include: the Appalachian Mountains visible during the initial eastbound climb from St. Louis; the Atlantic coastline near Nova Scotia or Newfoundland during the transatlantic crossing (typically at cruise altitude, appearing as a thin line on the horizon); the southern tip of Greenland or the Denmark Strait region during the mid-Atlantic phase; and the Norwegian coast or North Sea approaching European airspace. Most of the cruise segment is open ocean with no visible landmarks. The approach to Copenhagen brings views of the Scandinavian coast, the Kattegat strait region, and finally the Øresund Strait and Danish islands.