Sightseeing flight at sunrise and sunset over Warsaw

What is golden hour and why is the light at its best then?

Golden hour (eng. golden hour) is the first hour after sunrise and the last hour before sunset. The sun is then low on the horizon, its rays pass through a thicker layer of atmosphere, and the light becomes warm, soft, and golden—without the sharp, hard shadows typical of midday.

This is crucial for a scenic flight. From above, the entire city "lights up" in a uniform, warm light: the rooftops of the Old Town, the water of the Vistula River, the glass of the skyscrapers in the city center. This is precisely the light for which landscape photographers rise at dawn and stay until dusk. And you get it not from the sidewalk, but from a bird's eye view.

There's another reason these times are special: the calm. The morning and evening air tend to be more stable, and the atmosphere of the flight itself—with warm sunlight streaming through the cabin windows—is simply more intimate and emotional than a midday flight.

Sunrise or sunset flight – what to choose?

Both variants offer the same magical golden hour light, but have completely different character. The choice is more about the mood you want to experience than the quality of the view.

There's no wrong choice. If you're planning a flight as a gift or surprise for someone, a sunset is the most common and safest emotional choice. If you're looking for a unique experience and aren't afraid of an early wake-up call, a sunrise over a waking Warsaw will linger in your memory for a long time.

When is the best light over Warsaw for flying?

The best light is during the golden hour—that window of about an hour around sunrise and sunset. The specific hours vary throughout the season (we fly from May to October), because the times of sunrise and sunset shift each week. That's why we don't provide a fixed time—we work with you to determine the best time for your specific flight date.

What is worth knowing when planning a flight against the light:

• Spring and autumn — the sun rises later and sets earlier, so a flight at golden hour is more convenient to plan (you don't have to get up at dawn as early as in the summer).
• Midsummer — sunrises are very early and sunsets are late, which makes for long, mild evenings, perfect for a flight for two.
• The entire visit to the airport (check-in + flight) takes longer than the flight itself—approximately 45–60 minutes on-site. It's worth factoring this in to catch the light.
• The weather has the final say. A clear sky produces the most beautiful colors, but the final decision about the flight always rests with the pilot – in unfavorable conditions, we will postpone the flight free of charge.

Safety always comes first. We are the only certified AOC carrier (AOC PL-076) in Warsaw, which conducts sightseeing flights using a Cessna, and we conduct aircraft inspections in accordance with EASA requirements. Beautiful light is never a reason to fly in conditions that are not completely safe.

How do I book a flight at a specific time of day?

You choose your flight time—sunrise, sunset, or any other time—during the confirmation process. You don't have to choose the exact minute when purchasing; you first purchase a voucher, and we'll finalize the specific time as your flight approaches.

The whole process looks like this:

1. You are buying a voucher w flight configurator — It arrives in your email in 1 minute. The voucher is valid. 12 months and it can be passed on to another person, so it works great as a gift.
2. Online check-in — you choose a convenient date and indicate that you want a sunrise or sunset flight.
3. Confirmation of the date (approx. 7 days before the flight) - we arrange the details, including the time of day.
4. Final confirmation (1–2 days before) — depends on the weather, because it determines the best light.
5. Flight. You arrive at Babice Airport, check in, put on your professional aviation headphones, and fly straight into the golden hour.

If you want to ensure you're flying just the two of you—without joining other passengers—choose the private option. We've covered more about when a flight is private and when you join other passengers in our guide. about a flight for two / private.

What will you see from the air in the glow of the setting sun?

The route over Warsaw includes the city's most recognizable landmarks – and in the golden hour light, each of them looks different than in the street-level photos:

• Old Town and Royal Castle — red roofs lit with warm light.
• Vistula — a ribbon of river that can look like liquid gold at sunset.
• PGE National Stadium — the red and white dome of the stadium by the river.
• Palace of Culture and Science and the panorama of the city center's skyscrapers - glass reflecting the setting sun.
• Royal Łazienki and Wilanów — the green lungs and palace complexes of the city.

Want to see exactly where we're flying? The video below captures the atmosphere of flying over Warsaw better than any description.

For a complete guide to what exactly you can see from each stage of the route, check out this article what you will see from a sightseeing flight over Warsaw.

Why is a sunset flight the perfect idea for two?

It's hard to imagine a more intimate scenario: two people, a pilot, warm light streaming through the cabin windows, and the Warsaw skyline changing colors under the wing. A sunset flight is one of the most common choices for couples planning a flight. engagement, anniversary, birthday surprise or just a special evening for two.

If you want to have the plane all to yourself - without sharing the flight with other passengers - choose „"Flight for Two"” (private, just two people plus the pilot). This guarantees privacy and silence when you want to propose or just spend time together. All the details—when you fly privately and when you join the schedule—are described in the guide. about a flight for two / private.

How much does a sunrise or sunset flight cost?

The golden hour flight isn't a separate, more expensive "package"—it's the same sightseeing flight, just scheduled for a specific time of day. Prices start at 299 PLN per person (15 min flight). You can book the entire plane (up to 3 people) from approx. PLN 899 (15 min) or from approx. PLN 1,499 (30 min), and the option „"Flight for Two"” gives you a private flight just the two of you.

Prices are given as "from" - you can always check current rates, flight times (15 / 30 / 60 min) and voucher options (ePDF free, Mini +50 PLN, VIP +100 PLN) at flight configurator. The voucher is issued with a VAT invoice, is valid for 12 months, and can be transferred to another person.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Can I book a sightseeing flight at a specific time, e.g. sunset?

Yes. When checking in online and confirming your flight, you specify that you'd like a sunrise or sunset flight. We'll work with you to determine the exact time for each specific day, as the golden hour shifts during the season (May–October). Final confirmation is made 1–2 days before the flight and depends on weather conditions.

What is golden hour?

Golden hour is the first hour after sunrise and the last hour before sunset. The sun is low then, and the light is warm, soft, and golden—this is what gives Warsaw's skyline its most cinematic look from the air. It's the best time for a scenic flight for views and photos.

Sunrise or sunset flight – which is better?

Both offer the same beautiful light. Sunrise evokes the tranquility of a waking city and the feeling of waking up early as part of an adventure; sunset is the most romantic time, perfect for a couple, an engagement, or an anniversary. The choice depends on the mood you want to experience—not the quality of the view.

Is a sunset flight a good gift idea for a couple?

Yes, this is one of the most popular choices for couples and those buying a flight as a gift. The voucher is emailed in 1 minute, is valid for 12 months, and is transferable. For complete privacy, choose the "Flight for Two" option—a private flight for just the two of you, plus a pilot.

What if the weather is bad on the day of the sunset flight?

The pilot always decides whether to operate the flight. If conditions are unsafe or the sky doesn't allow for beautiful light, we'll reschedule the flight free of charge. The voucher is valid for 12 months, so you don't lose anything.

How much does a sunrise or sunset sightseeing flight cost?

The same as a standard sightseeing flight—it's the same flight, just at your chosen time. Prices start at PLN 299 per person (15 minutes). You can check current prices, flight times, and private options in the flight configurator on the homepage.

Text consulted by: Aleksander Domalewski

An ATPL pilot and owner of LotyWidokowe.Net, he professionally flies an Embraer Praetor 600 business jet around the world, accumulating thousands of hours in the air. Sightseeing flights over Warsaw are his passion—he flies the same Cessna SP-OKS that also takes his 6-year-old daughter up to the skies. The company holds an AOC PL-076 certificate issued by the Civil Aviation Authority, and the aircraft is operated in accordance with EASA requirements (CAMO Part-145).