LHR to ATH: which side of the plane should you sit on?
London (LHR) to Spata-Artemida (ATH) is a 2,427 km (1,508 mi), roughly 3h 21m eastbound flight. Here is where the sun sits along that path, computed with the same astronomy as our live calculator.
On most daytime LHR to ATH departures the sun favors the right side — sit on the left (an A seat) for shade.
Sun side by season and departure time
| Season | Morning (8 am) | Midday (1 pm) | Evening (6 pm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| March equinox | Right | Right | Right |
| June solstice | Left | Right | Right |
| September equinox | Both | Right | Right |
| December solstice | Right | Right | Night |
What you’ll see on this flight
Views do not settle this route, so follow the shade side. Left is the better pick if you want less sun.
LHR to ATH gives you a mixed window seat. The route does not pick a clear views side, so shade does the deciding: the left side is better for comfort.
Takeoff
After takeoff from LHR, depending on the runway in use, look left for London Bridge, Tower Bridge, Millennium Bridge, and the Isle of Dogs about 2 minutes in. If you sit right, Portsmouth is off that side almost immediately.
En route
- 12m in← LeftStrait of Dover
About 12 minutes in, the Strait of Dover sits on the left. It is a narrow strip of water, so it reads as a quick blue slash rather than a long view.
- 1h 06m inRight →Mount Pilatus
Around an hour in, Mount Pilatus comes up on the right. It is a single mountain mass, sharp against the surrounding terrain.
- 1h 28m in← LeftDolomites
A few minutes later, the Dolomites are on the left. You get a broad mountain range view rather than one peak.
- 1h 45m in← LeftIstria
About 1 hour 45 minutes in, Istria is on the left. It shows as a peninsula edge along the Adriatic side of the route.
- 2h 51m inRight →Pindus
Near 3 hours in, the Pindus is on the right. This is a later cruise highlight, with the range sitting low and distant at window height.
- 2h 59m in← LeftMount Olympus
On descent, Mount Olympus passes on the left about 3 hours in. It is close enough to register clearly, but it comes and goes quickly.
Landing
On approach to ATH, depending on the runway in use, the last views split both sides. Look left for Euboea and Kea, and right for Aegina, Kythnos, and Poros in the final minutes.
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 LHR to ATH?
Across typical daytime departures, the sun predominantly hits the right side of the aircraft, so the left side stays shadier. Seat letters start at the left window, so choose an A seat.
Which side has the sunset views on LHR to ATH flights?
For sunset views, flip the advice: on evening departures the sun sits on the right side of this route, so that is the side with the show.
How long is the flight from LHR to ATH?
The great-circle distance is 2,427 km (1,508 mi), which works out to roughly 3h 21m in the air on this eastbound 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 from LHR to ATH?
Sit left if you want the better shade choice. Views are more even on this route, so the sunlight is the clearer tie-breaker.
What can I see after leaving London on LHR to ATH?
Depending on the runway in use, the first landmarks are the London bridges on the left, with Portsmouth off the right side right away.