Discover the Canary Islands aboard a Binter ATR 72-600 on a spectacular sunset flight from Gran Canaria to Lanzarote. Explore the Atlantic coastline, volcanic landscapes, and regional turboprop operations with XPFlightPlanner and the new DeltaWing Simulations ATR 72-600 for X-Plane 12.
This week, our XPFlightPlanner Flight Plan of the Week takes us to the Canary Islands! 🇮🇨
After exploring destinations around the world aboard commercial jets and general aviation aircraft, it’s time to experience a different kind of flying: island hopping aboard an ATR 72-600.
Our journey begins at Gran Canaria Airport (GCLP) and takes us across the Atlantic Ocean to Lanzarote Airport (GCRR), an island famous for its spectacular volcanic landscapes, rugged coastline, and unique scenery.
For this adventure, we’ve selected a Binter ATR 72-600, inspired by the airline’s extensive network of regional flights connecting the Canary Islands.
And with the recent release of the DeltaWing Simulations ATR 72-600 for X-Plane 12, there’s no better time to discover this popular regional turboprop!
We’ve scheduled our departure for the late afternoon, aiming to arrive at Lanzarote just as the sun sets over the Atlantic.
Flight Details
| Parameter | Flight Information |
|---|---|
| Departure | Gran Canaria Airport (GCLP) |
| Destination | Lanzarote Airport (GCRR) |
| Airline | Binter Canarias |
| Aircraft | ATR 72-600 |
| X-Plane aircraft | DeltaWing Simulations ATR 72-600 |
| Flight rules | IFR |
| Flight date | Sunday, November 15, 2026 |
| Departure time | 17:15 UTC (local time) |
| Estimated arrival | 18:00 UTC (local time) |
| Estimated flight time | 45 minutes |
| Captain | Javier Hernández (fictional) |
| Region | Canary Islands, Spain |
Ready to fly?
The flight plan is available online, with downloadable files for X-Plane and flight briefing information.
✈️ View and Download the Gran Canaria–Lanzarote Flight Plan
Departure: Gran Canaria Airport (GCLP)
Our adventure begins at Gran Canaria Airport, one of the main aviation hubs in the Canary Islands.
Located on the eastern coast of Gran Canaria, the airport serves both international traffic and a busy network of regional flights connecting the islands.
For today’s flight, we’ll be operating a Binter ATR 72-600, a familiar sight at airports throughout the archipelago.
As the afternoon draws to a close, we’ll prepare the aircraft for departure, configure the flight management system, and review our planned route to Lanzarote.
The ATR 72-600 is particularly well suited to these short regional sectors, combining turboprop efficiency with modern avionics and excellent performance.
After takeoff, we’ll climb away from Gran Canaria and head northeast across the Atlantic Ocean.
Depending on the departure runway and weather conditions, we may enjoy beautiful views of the island’s rugged terrain, coastal towns, and the ocean stretching toward the horizon.
En Route: Island Hopping Across the Atlantic
One of the attractions of flying in the Canary Islands is the remarkable diversity of landscapes within a relatively small geographical area.
From mountainous islands and deep valleys to volcanic plains and sandy beaches, each island has its own distinctive character.
Our route takes us across the Atlantic toward Lanzarote, passing through the airspace of this beautiful volcanic archipelago.
A Perfect Flight for the ATR 72-600
With an estimated flight time of just 45 minutes, this is exactly the kind of journey for which regional turboprops are designed.
Unlike longer airline flights, short regional sectors require pilots to manage the climb, cruise, and descent phases within a relatively limited time.
The aircraft may spend only a short period at its planned cruising altitude before beginning the descent toward its destination.
This makes flight planning especially important.
A well-prepared route helps anticipate navigation changes, altitude restrictions, and the arrival procedure before reaching the destination.
During the flight, the ATR 72-600’s modern glass cockpit provides the information needed to monitor aircraft performance, navigation, and flight progress.
And of course, there’s the scenery!
As we approach Lanzarote, the island’s volcanic landscape gradually emerges from the ocean.
Arrival: Lanzarote Airport (GCRR)
Our destination is Lanzarote Airport, also known as César Manrique–Lanzarote Airport, located near the island’s capital, Arrecife.
Lanzarote is one of the most visually distinctive islands in the Canary archipelago.
Its landscape has been shaped by centuries of volcanic activity, creating vast lava fields, volcanic cones, and dramatic rocky formations.
The island’s famous Timanfaya National Park is particularly remarkable, with its almost otherworldly scenery.
Unlike the greener landscapes of Gran Canaria, Lanzarote features extensive areas of dark volcanic terrain contrasting with white coastal villages and the deep blue Atlantic Ocean.
A Spectacular Sunset Approach
For this flight, we’ve chosen a departure time of 17:15 UTC, targeting an arrival around sunset.
As we descend toward Lanzarote, the low sun should illuminate the volcanic terrain in beautiful shades of orange, red, and gold.
The contrast between the dark volcanic hills, the ocean, and the warm evening sky makes this an especially memorable destination.
Lanzarote Airport features a single main runway, designated 03/21, measuring approximately 2,400 meters in length.
Its coastal location creates an interesting approach environment, with winds influenced by the Atlantic and the surrounding island terrain.
Depending on the active runway and weather conditions, the final approach may offer spectacular views of Lanzarote’s coastline.
After landing, we’ll taxi to the terminal and complete our short island-hopping adventure.
It’s a wonderful way to experience the Canary Islands from the cockpit of a regional turboprop!
Discover the DeltaWing Simulations ATR 72-600 for X-Plane 12
This week’s flight is also an opportunity to celebrate the arrival of a new aircraft in the X-Plane ecosystem.
Released in October 2026, the DeltaWing Simulations ATR 72-600 brings a detailed simulation of the popular regional turboprop to X-Plane 12.
The aircraft features a fully modeled cockpit, modern glass avionics, a flight management system, and detailed aircraft systems.
Its simulation includes custom engine behavior, electrical and hydraulic systems, flight controls, autopilot, and weather radar functionality.
The ATR 72-600 is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127M turboprop engines and is widely used by regional airlines around the world.
With its excellent suitability for short routes, island operations, and regional airports, it’s an ideal aircraft for exploring destinations that might be less practical for larger jets.
For our flight, we’ll use the Binter livery, bringing an authentic Canary Islands atmosphere to the experience.
The ATR 72-600 Is Now Available in XPFlightPlanner!
To accompany the release of the DeltaWing Simulations aircraft, XPFlightPlanner now includes a dedicated ATR 72-600 aircraft profile.
👉 Download ATR 72-600 aircraft profile
This makes it easier to plan flights using the aircraft’s characteristics rather than relying on a generic airplane profile.
With XPFlightPlanner, you can:
- Generate realistic IFR routes using airways and navigation waypoints.
- Explore available SID, STAR, and approach procedures.
- Select the ATR 72-600 aircraft profile when preparing your flight.
- Visualize the route and surrounding navigation information on an interactive map.
- Export flight plans in X-Plane FMS format for compatible aircraft.
- Follow your aircraft’s position in real time using XPFlightPlanner’s moving map.
For this Gran Canaria–Lanzarote adventure, XPFlightPlanner provides a convenient way to prepare the short IFR route before entering the cockpit.
Once the flight plan is generated, you can export it and use the navigation information to configure your ATR’s flight management system.
Whether you’re planning a quick island hop or a longer regional journey, XPFlightPlanner makes it easy to explore the possibilities of this new aircraft.
Download the Complete Flight Plan
We’ve prepared the Gran Canaria–Lanzarote flight plan so you can enjoy this scenic regional adventure yourself.
✈️ GCLP → GCRR: View and Download the Flight Plan
The shared flight plan provides downloadable files in multiple formats, including X-Plane FMS, along with flight briefing information.
For the same sunset experience, use the following simulator settings:
- Date: Sunday, November 15, 2026
- Departure time: 17:15 UTC
- Aircraft: DeltaWing Simulations ATR 72-600
- Airline livery: Binter
- Weather: Clear or partly cloudy skies for the best sunset views
Remember that runway selection and instrument procedures should be adapted to the weather and navigation data available in your simulator.
Keep Your Navigation Data Up to Date with XPNavData
Accurate navigation data is essential for realistic IFR flight planning.
Airways, waypoints, departure procedures, arrival procedures, and instrument approaches can change with each AIRAC cycle.
With XPNavData, you can update the navigation database of X-Plane 11 and X-Plane 12 using recent AIRAC data.
XPNavData also integrates with XPFlightPlanner, allowing you to prepare routes with navigation information consistent with your simulator.
Unlike subscription-based navigation data services, XPNavData offers individual AIRAC cycles as one-time purchases, giving you the freedom to update whenever you need.
Visit XPFlightPlanner to discover XPNavData and learn how to keep your simulator’s navigation database current.
Ready for a Sunset Flight Across the Canary Islands?
Some of the most enjoyable flights don’t require large aircraft or long distances.
A short regional journey can offer everything a flight simulation enthusiast needs: interesting procedures, realistic aircraft operations, beautiful scenery, and a memorable approach.
From the coastline of Gran Canaria to the volcanic landscapes of Lanzarote, this ATR 72-600 flight is a wonderful introduction to regional turboprop flying.
With the new DeltaWing Simulations ATR 72-600 and its dedicated aircraft profile in XPFlightPlanner, it’s the perfect opportunity to discover a new aircraft and explore the Canary Islands.
Fire up your ATR, load your flight plan, and prepare for a beautiful sunset arrival in Lanzarote!
Happy flying, and see you on our next XPFlightPlanner Flight Plan of the Week! ✈️