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PHL → ATH
Which side of the plane to sit from Philadelphia International Airport (Philadelphia) to Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport (Athens)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers the most dramatic scenery, featuring potential views of the Canadian Maritimes, a stunning transit over the Swiss and Austrian Alps, and the rugged mountainous terrain of Northern Greece.
NYC Horizon
Shortly after departure from PHL, you can often see the distant Manhattan skyline to the north.
Newfoundland Coast
Rugged, rocky coastlines and occasionally icebergs if the flight path tracks north over Eastern Canada.
The Alps
Breathtaking views of snow-capped peaks and glaciers as the plane crosses Central Europe toward the Balkans.
Pindus Mountains
The dramatic 'spine of Greece' provides a majestic landscape of deep gorges and high peaks during descent.
Sit on the left for the best chance of seeing the sunrise over the Atlantic and the spectacular morning light hitting the Alps. If the flight occurs during winter months, keep an eye out for the Aurora Borealis during the middle of the flight over the North Atlantic.
Delaware Bay
Excellent views of the shipping lanes and the widening mouth of the Delaware River immediately after takeoff.
Adriatic Coastline
Views of the turquoise waters and white pebble beaches of the Croatian or Italian coasts depending on the specific airway.
Ionian Islands
Glimpse the lush green islands of Corfu, Kefalonia, or Zante as you enter Greek airspace.
Saronic Gulf
On final approach to ATH, the right side often looks out over the islands of Aegina and the Peloponnese coast.
The right side is ideal for capturing the deep blues of the Mediterranean and the scattered Greek islands during the final 30 minutes of flight. It also avoids the direct glare of the sun for much of the eastbound journey, making it better for photography.
Distance: 8,083 km (5,023 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 9 hrs 31 min
Departure: PHL (39.87189865112305, -75.24109649658203)
Arrival: ATH (37.9364013672, 23.944499969499997)
Route Type: International
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