Although the Athens arrival favors the left side, the right side dominates the long cruise phase, tracing the Tatra Mountains near the Slovak border, the Dinaric Alps over the Balkans, and finally the Pindus range of central Greece — a much richer and more varied mountainous panorama than the flatter plains visible from the left over Hungary and Serbia.
Flown WAW to ATH? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Warsaw to Athens is 994 miles (1,599 km), a flight of about 2 hours 35 minutes.
High Tatras and western Carpathians along the Slovak-Polish border, the Hungarian Great Plain and Danube River near Budapest, the Dinaric Alps over Serbia and North Macedonia, and the Pindus Mountains of central Greece before the descent toward Athens
Great circle distance and headings ›Phase by phase
Takeoff from WAW
RIGHTDeparting Okecie on runway 29, the aircraft climbs out to the WNW before banking south toward Athens, swinging Warsaw's city center into view on the right side. Passengers get a brief but clear look at the Vistula River bend and the dense downtown skyline before the plains take over.
Landing at ATH
LEFTAthens typically lands on runway 03, meaning arriving aircraft swing out over the Saronic Gulf before turning onto final approach heading NNE. That puts the gulf, its islands, and the Attica coastline on the left side, making for one of the more dramatic landing sequences in Europe.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Okecie (WAW) to Athens International Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Warsaw to Athens. Although the Athens arrival favors the left side, the right side dominates the long cruise phase, tracing the Tatra Mountains near the Slovak border, the Dinaric Alps over the Balkans, and finally the Pindus range of central Greece — a much richer and more varied mountainous panorama than the flatter plains visible from the left over Hungary and Serbia.
What can I see during takeoff from Okecie in Warsaw?
During takeoff from Okecie (WAW), sit on the Right side for the best views. Departing Okecie on runway 29, the aircraft climbs out to the WNW before banking south toward Athens, swinging Warsaw's city center into view on the right side. Passengers get a brief but clear look at the Vistula River bend and the dense downtown skyline before the plains take over. Notable sights include: Vistula River, Warsaw city center and Palace of Culture and Science, Lazienki Park greenery, Mazovian plain beyond the city.
What can I see when landing at Athens International Eleftherios Venizelos in Athens?
When landing at Athens International Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH), sit on the Left side for the best views. Athens typically lands on runway 03, meaning arriving aircraft swing out over the Saronic Gulf before turning onto final approach heading NNE. That puts the gulf, its islands, and the Attica coastline on the left side, making for one of the more dramatic landing sequences in Europe. Notable sights include: Saronic Gulf, Aegina island, Salamis island, Attica coastline with Peloponnese mountains on the horizon.
How long is the flight from Warsaw to Athens?
The flight from Okecie (WAW) to Athens International Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH) takes about 2 hours 35 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 994 miles (1,599 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Warsaw to Athens flight path pass over?
High Tatras and western Carpathians along the Slovak-Polish border, the Hungarian Great Plain and Danube River near Budapest, the Dinaric Alps over Serbia and North Macedonia, and the Pindus Mountains of central Greece before the descent toward Athens