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DKR → IST
Which side of the plane to sit from Léopold Sédar Senghor International Airport (Dakar) to Istanbul Airport (Istanbul)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side offers superior views of the dramatic Saharan mountain formations like the Hoggar Massif and a strategic perspective of the Sea of Marmara and Asian Istanbul during the final approach.
Sahel Transition
Watch the landscape transform from the semi-arid Sahelian scrubland of Mali into the deep Saharan desert.
Ahaggar Mountains
The spectacular volcanic peaks and jagged purple plateaus of the Hoggar Mountains in southern Algeria.
Cyrenaica Coast
The contrast where the desert meets the deep blue of the Mediterranean along the North African coast.
Sea of Marmara
A view of the busy shipping lanes and the Prince's Islands as the aircraft turns toward the Bosphorus.
Bosphorus Bridges
Clear views of the iconic bridges connecting Europe and Asia if the flight uses the southern approach.
The right side is ideal for capturing the intense colors of the Sahara. During the final 20 minutes of flight, keep your camera ready for the Bosphorus and the historical peninsula of Istanbul, which often appear on this side during standard approach patterns.
Atlantic Coastline
Dramatic views of the Cap-Vert peninsula and the receding Atlantic horizon immediately after takeoff from Dakar.
Grand Ergs of Algeria
Stunning patterns of shifting orange sand dunes in the Erg Chech and Grand Erg Occidental regions of the Sahara.
Aegean Archipelago
A bird's-eye view of the Greek islands and the turquoise waters of the Ionian and Aegean seas.
European Istanbul
Views of the sprawling European suburbs and the Black Sea coastline during the descent into IST.
Sit on the left for early morning departures to avoid the direct glare of the rising sun. This side is also preferable if the flight path tracks further west over Italy and the Balkan mountains.
Distance: 5,325 km (3,309 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 6 hrs 16 min
Departure: DKR (14.739700317382812, -17.49020004272461)
Arrival: IST (41.275278, 28.751944)
Route Type: International
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