Loading map...
BGW → ESB
Which side of the plane to sit from Baghdad International Airport (Baghdad) to Esenboğa International Airport (Ankara)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side offers a superior view of the winding Tigris River and the dramatic, snow-capped peaks of the Taurus Mountains as you transition from the Mesopotamian plains into the rugged Turkish highlands.
Search flights from BGW to ESB
Tigris River
Follow the intricate meanders of the Tigris as it flows from the mountains toward Baghdad.
Mosul & Nineveh
Pass over the historic plains of Nineveh and the modern city of Mosul in northern Iraq.
Eastern Taurus
Experience the most jagged and impressive peaks of the Taurus mountain range near the border.
Lake Van
On exceptionally clear days, the turquoise waters of Turkey's largest lake are visible to the far east.
Anatolian Highlands
The rolling golden hills and agricultural patches of the central plateau before landing.
The right side is best for morning flights to avoid direct glare while seeing the mountains illuminated. Keep your camera ready about 40 minutes into the flight for the mountain transition. Look for the sharp contrast between the green river valleys and the arid mountain slopes near the border.
Book Hotels in AnkaraEuphrates River
View the westernmost of the two great rivers of Mesopotamia cutting through the desert.
Lake Hazar
A stunning tectonic lake located in the Southeast Taurus Mountains near Elazığ.
Mount Erciyes
The distant silhouette of this massive stratovolcano can often be seen on clear days.
Tuz Gölü
One of the world's largest hypersaline lakes, appearing as a vast white patch during descent.
Watch for the Euphrates River early in the flight. In winter, the snow cover on the Taurus range is more pronounced on this side. During the final approach to Ankara, the white expanse of Tuz Gölü is a highlight to the southwest.
Get eSIMs for Iraq
Get eSIMs for TurkeyDistance: 1,258 km (782 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 41 min
Departure: BGW (33.262500762900004, 44.2346000671)
Arrival: ESB (40.1281013489, 32.995098114)
Route Type: International
Thank you for booking your travels through our travel partners. The commissions from your bookings keep this site running.