ATH to LHR: which side of the plane should you sit on?
Spata-Artemida (ATH) to London (LHR) is a 2,427 km (1,508 mi), roughly 3h 21m northbound flight. Here is where the sun sits along that path, computed with the same astronomy as our live calculator.
On most daytime ATH to LHR departures the sun favors the left side — sit on the right (a window on the right) for shade.
Sun side by season and departure time
| Season | Morning (8 am) | Midday (1 pm) | Evening (6 pm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| March equinox | Right | Left | Left |
| June solstice | Right | Left | Left |
| September equinox | Right | Left | Left |
| December solstice | Left | Left | Night |
What you’ll see on this flight
Views do not decide this one. Pick the right side for more shade, and use the window for scattered highlights on both sides.
Views are split on this route, so the better seat is the right side for shade. You still get a long mix of islands, mountains, and a London approach on the way in.
Takeoff
Right after takeoff from ATH, the first few minutes are busy with Greek islands on both sides, depending on the runway in use. Aegina and Poros sit to the left, while Euboea and Kea are off to the right. Kythnos also stays to the left, so either window gets something early.
En route
- 8m in← LeftMount Helicon
About 8 minutes in, Mount Helicon stays to the left. It is a sharp mountain shape rather than a broad skyline.
- 22m inRight →Mount Olympus
Around 22 minutes in, Mount Olympus is off to the right. It sits farther out, so it reads as a single high mass rather than a full ridge.
- 1h 15m inRight →Dinaric Alps
About an hour and 15 minutes in, the Dinaric Alps are on the right. A couple of minutes later, Dinara follows on that same side.
- 1h 55m in← LeftLake Garda
Near the 2-hour mark, Lake Garda appears to the left. It is the clearest water feature on the cruise section, so it breaks up all the rock and ridge lines.
- 2h 11m in← LeftAlps
Roughly 2 hours 10 minutes in, the Alps are again on the left, with Mount Pilatus just after them. That side stays busy through the central mountain stretch.
Landing
On descent, the right side gets the better city approach, depending on the runway in use. About 10 minutes before landing, the right window lines up with the Isle of Dogs and then the bridges: Tower Bridge, London Bridge, and the Millennium Bridge. The left side is quieter, with Portsmouth off in the distance near touchdown.
Sides and timings are computed from this route’s geometry. What you actually see depends on weather, air-traffic routing, and the runway in use on the day.
Frequently asked
Which side of the plane avoids the sun from ATH to LHR?
Across typical daytime departures, the sun predominantly hits the left side of the aircraft, so the right side stays shadier. Seat letters start at the left window, so choose the highest window letter (F on narrowbodies, K on many widebodies).
Which side has the sunset views on ATH to LHR flights?
For sunset views, flip the advice: on evening departures the sun sits on the left side of this route, so that is the side with the show.
How long is the flight from ATH to LHR?
The great-circle distance is 2,427 km (1,508 mi), which works out to roughly 3h 21m in the air on this northbound routing. Winds and routing move the real block time around that estimate.
Does the date or departure time change the answer?
Yes — that is why the table shows both. The sun's path shifts with the season, and a morning departure can put the glare on the opposite side compared to an evening one. For a specific flight, the calculator samples the sun along the whole route for your exact date and time.
Which side should I sit on for ATH to LHR?
Sit on the right for shade. Views are mixed, so the route does not give one side a clean win for scenery.
What will I see near landing into LHR?
About 10 minutes before landing, the right side can pick out the Isle of Dogs and several London bridges, depending on the runway in use.