KOI

Best window seat landing at Kirkwall

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Pick the window seat with the view. 13,500 routes answered — landmarks, coastlines and cities, wing by wing.

LandingLEFT

Scapa Flow, Hoy island, Orkney Mainland's eastern coastline with scattered lochs

🛬 Landing at Kirkwall (KOI)

Best sideLeft
WhyLanding on runway 27 (westbound) means the aircraft approaches from the east over the Orkney Mainland. The left side offers views of Scapa Flow, the sheltered anchorage to the south, and the irregular coastline of Hoy island across the water. The right side faces open North Sea with minimal geographic interest.
Look forScapa Flow (large protected bay), Hoy island (distinctive hills across the water to southwest), Orkney Mainland's eastern coastline with scattered lochs, Kirkwall town and harbor area below during final descent

Kirkwall Airport is a small regional airport with a single modest terminal, serving as the hub for Orkney's unique inter-island flight network connecting to some of the shortest scheduled flights in the world, including the famous two-minute hop to Westray.

⛰️ Elevation52 ft
🛫 Runways2 (09/27, 14/32)
✈️ HubLoganair
📍 NearbyEOI 17 miWIC 35 miLSI 85 mi

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About This Airport

Which side of the plane has the best views landing at Kirkwall (KOI)?

When landing at Kirkwall (KOI), sit on the Left side for the best views. Landing on runway 27 (westbound) means the aircraft approaches from the east over the Orkney Mainland. The left side offers views of Scapa Flow, the sheltered anchorage to the south, and the irregular coastline of Hoy island across the water. The right side faces open North Sea with minimal geographic interest. Notable sights include: Scapa Flow (large protected bay), Hoy island (distinctive hills across the water to southwest), Orkney Mainland's eastern coastline with scattered lochs, Kirkwall town and harbor area below during final descent.

What can I see when arriving at Kirkwall?

Arriving at Kirkwall in Kirkwall, passengers on the Left side enjoy views of Scapa Flow (large protected bay), Hoy island (distinctive hills across the water to southwest), Orkney Mainland's eastern coastline with scattered lochs, Kirkwall town and harbor area below during final descent. Landing on runway 27 (westbound) means the aircraft approaches from the east over the Orkney Mainland. The left side offers views of Scapa Flow, the sheltered anchorage to the south, and the irregular coastline of Hoy island across the water. The right side faces open North Sea with minimal geographic interest.

What factors affect the best window seat landing at Kirkwall?

The best window seat landing at Kirkwall (KOI) depends on several factors: the approach path and runway in use, geographic features around Kirkwall (mountains, coastlines, city skylines), weather conditions, and time of day. Morning and evening arrivals often offer the best lighting.