About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Lester B Pearson International (YYZ) to Athinai (HEW)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Toronto to Athens. The left side wins overall. The Toronto departure view with the CN Tower, skyline, and Lake Ontario is genuinely spectacular and hard to beat. En route, the left side also faces south over the Atlantic, giving better views of the UK coastline and potentially the Alps on the southern horizon during the European leg. The Athens arrival right-side advantage is real but shorter in duration.
What can I see during takeoff from Lester B Pearson International in Toronto?
During takeoff from Lester B Pearson International (YYZ), sit on the Left side for the best views. YYZ departures on the dominant runway 23 head southwest, putting the left side facing southeast toward downtown Toronto and Lake Ontario. You get a clear view of the CN Tower, the downtown skyline, and the broad expanse of Lake Ontario stretching to the horizon. Notable sights include: CN Tower and downtown Toronto skyline, Lake Ontario shoreline, Toronto Islands, Scarborough Bluffs visible to the east along the lakeshore.
What can I see when landing at Athinai in Athens?
When landing at Athinai (HEW), sit on the Right side for the best views. Athens airport (LGAV) sits on the eastern Attica plain, and aircraft typically approach from the west or northwest on runway 03L/03R. A right-side seat gives you the Saronic Gulf, the Aegean coastline, and the Acropolis hill visible as you descend over the Athens basin. The left side faces inland toward Mount Hymettus. Notable sights include: Acropolis of Athens on its limestone hill, Saronic Gulf and Aegean coastline, Athens urban basin, Mount Hymettus ridge to the east.
How long is the flight from Toronto to Athens?
The flight from Lester B Pearson International (YYZ) to Athinai (HEW) takes Approximately 9 to 10 hours.
What does the Toronto to Athens flight path pass over?
The route tracks northeast over Quebec and the Gulf of St. Lawrence, then crosses the North Atlantic near Newfoundland and Ireland. Over Europe the flight passes over southern England or northern France, then across the Alps or northern Italy, down the Adriatic or Balkans toward Greece. The Alps are the most dramatic midpoint feature, visible as a broad white mountain arc. The Adriatic Sea is a recognizable narrow blue corridor before the Greek coastline appears.