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ATH → OTP
Which side of the plane to sit from Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (Athens) to Henri Coandă International Airport (Bucharest)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side provides a superior view of the high-altitude landmarks, most notably Mount Olympus and the dramatic alpine ridges of the Rila and Pirin mountain ranges in Bulgaria.
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Mount Olympus
The legendary home of the Greek gods, offering spectacular views of its snow-capped peaks and rugged limestone ridges.
Thessaloniki
Clear views of Greece's second city, the Thermaic Gulf, and the White Tower as the plane heads north.
Rila National Park
Soaring over the highest peaks of the Balkans, including Musala, surrounded by glacial lakes and dense forests.
Sofia Valley
A distant view of the Bulgarian capital city nestled at the foot of Vitosha Mountain.
The Danube River
The massive waterway marking the international border between Bulgaria and Romania, winding through the plains.
Book a window seat on the left for morning flights to avoid the harsh glare of the rising sun. This side offers the best angle for photography of Mount Olympus, which appears approximately 15-20 minutes after takeoff. Ensure you are seated forward of the wing to capture the full scale of the Rila Mountains as you cross into Bulgarian airspace.
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Euboea (Evia)
The long, mountainous coastline of Greece's second-largest island immediately after departure from Athens.
Sporades Archipelago
View the scattered gems of Skiathos and Skopelos dotting the deep blue Aegean Sea.
Mount Athos
The easternmost 'finger' of the Chalkidiki peninsula, famous for its autonomous monastic community and steep cliffs.
Balkan Mountains
The central mountain chain of Bulgaria, featuring rolling green ridges and deep river valleys.
Wallachian Plain
The vast, fertile agricultural landscape of southern Romania during the final descent into Bucharest.
The right side is ideal for afternoon flights when the sun is in the west, illuminating the Aegean islands and the Chalkidiki peninsula in warm golden light. Keep a lookout for the three distinct prongs of Chalkidiki roughly 30 minutes into the flight. During the descent into OTP, the right side often provides a clearer view of the Otopeni outskirts and the expanding Bucharest skyline.
Book Hotels in BucharestDistance: 759 km (472 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 16 min
Departure: ATH (37.9364013672, 23.944499969499997)
Arrival: OTP (44.5711111, 26.085)
Route Type: International
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