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BHX → HER
Which side of the plane to sit from Birmingham International Airport (Birmingham) to Heraklion International Nikos Kazantzakis Airport (Heraklion)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side provides an exceptional panoramic view of the Eastern Alps, the dramatic coastline of the Adriatic Sea, and a breathtaking descent over the Aegean islands before landing in Crete.
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English Channel Crossing
Clear views of the Dover Strait and the French coastline near Calais shortly after departure.
Eastern Alps
Spectacular snow-capped peaks of the Austrian and Swiss Alps approximately 90 minutes into the flight.
Balkan Coastline
The turquoise waters and rugged limestone cliffs along the Croatian and Albanian coasts.
The Cyclades
During the descent, look out for the iconic Greek islands of Santorini and Naxos scattered across the blue Aegean.
Heraklion Approach
Direct views of the Heraklion harbor, the Koules Fortress, and the northern Cretan coastline on final approach.
The left side is superior for morning flights as it avoids direct southward sun glare. Try to sit well ahead of or behind the wing to capture the detail of the Aegean islands during the final 20 minutes of the flight. For the best view of the Venetian Harbor in Heraklion, the left side is usually preferred for the standard approach into Runway 27.
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Get eSIMs for GreeceCentral Alps
Breathtaking vistas of the highest European massifs including the Mont Blanc range in the distance.
Apennine Mountains
The rugged spine of Italy visible as the flight path crosses the Po Valley towards the Mediterranean.
Ionian Islands
Aerial views of Zakynthos and Kefalonia as the plane crosses the Ionian Sea towards southern Greece.
The Peloponnese
Deep bays and mountainous peninsulas of the southern Greek mainland visible before reaching Crete.
White Mountains
Stunning views of the Lefka Ori (White Mountains) of Crete as the aircraft descends along the south of the island.
Ideal for afternoon flights to catch the golden hour over the Ionian Sea. Keep your camera ready as you pass the Peloponnese; the contrast between the mountains and the deep blue sea is striking. If the flight path takes a more westerly route, you may get a distant glimpse of the Parthenon in Athens when looking toward the left, but the right remains best for the rugged Cretan interior.
Book Hotels in HeraklionDistance: 2,847 km (1,769 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 3 hrs 48 min
Departure: BHX (52.4538993835, -1.7480299472799998)
Arrival: HER (35.3396987915, 25.1802997589)
Route Type: International
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