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CGN → SAW
Which side of the plane to sit from Cologne Bonn Airport (Cologne) to Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (Istanbul)?
Right Side of the Plane
The Right Side is preferred for its sustained views of the northern edge of the Alps and the picturesque descent over the Sea of Marmara into Istanbul.
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The Alps
Spectacular distant views of the snow-capped Austrian and Bavarian Alps to the south.
Munich & Allianz Arena
Spot the Bavarian capital and its glowing white stadium while cruising over southern Germany.
Balkan Mountains
Fly over the rugged terrain of the Balkan Range through Serbia and Bulgaria.
Sea of Marmara
Glittering views of the sea as the aircraft begins its descent into the Istanbul metropolitan area.
Prince Islands
A stunning view of the island cluster in the Marmara Sea just minutes before landing at SAW.
The right side is superior for mountain lovers, offering a long-range view of the Alps for the first hour. During the descent into SAW, the islands in the Sea of Marmara are most prominent from this side. For evening flights, this side catches the sunset over the Mediterranean and Marmara regions.
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Cologne Cathedral
Catch a glimpse of the twin spires and the Rhine River immediately after takeoff from CGN.
Frankfurt Skyline
View the high-rise financial district of Frankfurt as the flight heads southeast across Germany.
The Danube
Aerial views of the winding Danube River as you cross through Central Europe and Hungary.
The Bosphorus
On the final approach, the left side often captures the bridges connecting Europe and Asia.
Istanbul Landmarks
Spot the historic peninsula and its famous mosques if the flight path follows a northern approach.
Choose the left side for better chances of seeing the Bosphorus Bridge and the Golden Horn during the final descent. Early morning flights provide excellent lighting on the city as you approach from the west.
Get eSIMs for Germany
Get eSIMs for TurkeyDistance: 2,030 km (1,261 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 2 hrs 42 min
Departure: CGN (50.8658981323, 7.1427397728)
Arrival: SAW (40.898601532, 29.3092002869)
Route Type: International
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