The right side captures the Italian peninsula coast as you cross it, the Tyrrhenian Sea approach, and the dramatic Monte Pellegrino on arrival. While the left side has the edge at Zurich departure, the right side delivers more sustained scenery across the flight including the Apennines crossing and the Sicilian coastline.
Flown ZRH to PMO? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Zurich to Palermo is 681 miles (1,096 km), a flight of about 2 hours 10 minutes.
The route crosses the Swiss Alps south of Zurich, then tracks over northern Italy passing near Milan and the Po Valley, crosses the Apennine spine of central Italy, then flies over the Tyrrhenian Sea before reaching the northern coast of Sicily. The transition from the Alps to the Po Valley flatlands and then the rugged Apennines is the most visually dramatic segment of the cruise phase.
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from ZRH
LEFTZurich typically departs on runway 16 heading south or runway 28 heading west. A southbound departure on runway 16 puts the left side facing east toward the Glarus Alps and Lake Zurich stretching away to the southeast. You get a clear view of the lake's elongated shape and the snow-capped peaks beyond.
Landing at PMO
RIGHTPalermo's Boccadifalco airport and the main Falcone-Borsellino airport both have approaches that typically come in from the north or northwest over the Tyrrhenian Sea. On a standard approach from the north, the right side faces east toward Monte Pellegrino, the dramatic limestone promontory that defines Palermo's coastline, and the city's historic center spread along the bay.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Zurich (ZRH) to Falcone–Borsellino Airport (PMO)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Zurich to Palermo. The right side captures the Italian peninsula coast as you cross it, the Tyrrhenian Sea approach, and the dramatic Monte Pellegrino on arrival. While the left side has the edge at Zurich departure, the right side delivers more sustained scenery across the flight including the Apennines crossing and the Sicilian coastline.
What can I see during takeoff from Zurich in Zurich?
During takeoff from Zurich (ZRH), sit on the Left side for the best views. Zurich typically departs on runway 16 heading south or runway 28 heading west. A southbound departure on runway 16 puts the left side facing east toward the Glarus Alps and Lake Zurich stretching away to the southeast. You get a clear view of the lake's elongated shape and the snow-capped peaks beyond. Notable sights include: Lake Zurich (elongated lake running southeast from the city), Glarus Alps (snow-capped range to the southeast), Zurich city center and the Limmat river corridor, Lake Greifen to the east.
What can I see when landing at Falcone–Borsellino Airport in Palermo?
When landing at Falcone–Borsellino Airport (PMO), sit on the Right side for the best views. Palermo's Boccadifalco airport and the main Falcone-Borsellino airport both have approaches that typically come in from the north or northwest over the Tyrrhenian Sea. On a standard approach from the north, the right side faces east toward Monte Pellegrino, the dramatic limestone promontory that defines Palermo's coastline, and the city's historic center spread along the bay. Notable sights include: Monte Pellegrino (steep limestone headland jutting into the sea north of Palermo), Palermo historic city center and harbor, the Conca d'Oro plain (the flat agricultural basin surrounding Palermo), Tyrrhenian Sea coastline.
How long is the flight from Zurich to Palermo?
The flight from Zurich (ZRH) to Falcone–Borsellino Airport (PMO) takes about 2 hours 10 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 681 miles (1,096 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Zurich to Palermo flight path pass over?
The route crosses the Swiss Alps south of Zurich, then tracks over northern Italy passing near Milan and the Po Valley, crosses the Apennine spine of central Italy, then flies over the Tyrrhenian Sea before reaching the northern coast of Sicily. The transition from the Alps to the Po Valley flatlands and then the rugged Apennines is the most visually dramatic segment of the cruise phase.