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CRL → SAW
Which side of the plane to sit from Brussels South Charleroi Airport (Charleroi) to Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (Istanbul)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side offers a superior panoramic experience, featuring distant views of the Alps, the rugged Balkan mountain ranges, and a scenic approach over the Sea of Marmara and the Princess Islands.
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The Alps
Dramatic views of the snow-capped Swiss and Austrian Alps visible to the south during the first half of the trip.
Dinaric Alps
The rugged, rocky terrain of the Balkan Peninsula, stretching across Croatia and Bosnia.
Sea of Marmara
Watch hundreds of cargo ships and tankers anchored in the sea while descending into Istanbul.
Princess Islands
A beautiful archipelago of nine islands in the Sea of Marmara, seen just before landing.
Istanbul Skyline
Distant views of the historic peninsula's minarets if the flight path arcs south before the final approach.
The right side is essential for the iconic approach to SAW. For the best views of the Alps, look out early in the flight after reaching cruising altitude. During the descent, keep your camera ready for the Princess Islands, which appear very close to the flight path.
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Middle Rhine Valley
View the winding Rhine River and its historic hillside castles as you transit over Germany.
Munich & Bavaria
Clear views of the sprawling Bavarian capital and the surrounding lush green plains.
Black Sea Coast
The deep blue horizon of the Black Sea becomes visible as the aircraft enters Turkish airspace from the north.
Northern Bosphorus
Glimpse the Third Bosphorus Bridge (Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge) connecting the two continents.
Sit on the left for morning flights to avoid direct glare from the sun. It is also the better side for spotting the Danube River as it weaves through Central and Eastern Europe. On a clear day, the contrast between the green Turkish forests and the Black Sea is striking.
Get eSIMs for Belgium
Get eSIMs for TurkeyDistance: 2,189 km (1,360 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 2 hrs 55 min
Departure: CRL (50.459202000000005, 4.4538199999999994)
Arrival: SAW (40.898601532, 29.3092002869)
Route Type: International
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