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AMS → IST
Which side of the plane to sit from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (Amsterdam) to Istanbul Airport (Istanbul)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side offers breathtaking glimpses of the Alpine range to the south and provides the most iconic views of the Istanbul peninsula and the Sea of Marmara during the approach.
Search flights from AMS to IST
The Alps
Snow-capped peaks of the Austrian and Bavarian Alps visible on the southern horizon over Central Europe.
The Danube
The winding path of Europe's second-longest river through Hungary and the Balkan region.
Historic Peninsula
Iconic views of the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and Topkapi Palace during southern approaches.
Sea of Marmara
Countless cargo ships anchored and waiting to transit the Bosphorus Strait.
Golden Horn
The historic horn-shaped inlet dividing the European side of the city into old and new districts.
The right side is superior for morning flights as the sun illuminates the Alps to the south. During the final 20 minutes of flight, keep your camera ready; depending on the wind, the plane often performs a wide U-turn over the Sea of Marmara, offering a full panorama of the city center.
Book Hotels in IstanbulRuhr Valley
The dense industrial and urban heart of Germany shortly after reaching cruise altitude.
Carpathian Mountains
Rugged, forested peaks stretching across the Romanian landscape.
Black Sea Coast
The deep blue waters and green coastline as the flight enters Turkish airspace.
Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge
Views of the northernmost Bosphorus bridge during the final descent into IST.
Sit on the left for afternoon flights to avoid the harsh southern sun and glare. This side is ideal for spotting the transition from the lush green forests of northern Istanbul to the Black Sea. If the airport is using northern runways, you may see the Black Sea coastline in great detail.
Get eSIMs for Netherlands
Get eSIMs for TurkeyDistance: 2,184 km (1,357 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 2 hrs 55 min
Departure: AMS (52.308601, 4.76389)
Arrival: IST (41.275278, 28.751944)
Route Type: International
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