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ESB → BGW
Which side of the plane to sit from Esenboğa International Airport (Ankara) to Baghdad International Airport (Baghdad)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side of the aircraft offers a spectacular sequence of Turkish landmarks, including the vast salt flats of Lake Tuz, the volcanic landscapes near Cappadocia, and the monumental Atatürk Dam before entering Iraqi airspace.
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Lake Tuz
One of the world's largest hypersaline lakes, appearing as a brilliant white or pink expanse shortly after takeoff.
Cappadocia Vistas
Distant but clear views of the unique 'fairy chimney' topography and the towering Mount Erciyes volcano.
Atatürk Dam
The massive turquoise reservoir on the Euphrates River, one of the largest man-made lakes in the region.
Syrian Desert Edge
The stark, golden transition where the irrigated river valleys meet the vast desert expanse.
Samarra Archaeological City
During the descent into Baghdad, look for the iconic Malwiya (Spiral Minaret) of the Great Mosque.
The Right Side is superior for seeing major water features and the salt flats. Sit behind the wing for the best downward visibility of the Atatürk Dam. In summer, the dust haze in Iraq can be thick; early morning flights offer the best clarity for seeing the spiral minaret of Samarra.
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Anti-Taurus Mountains
Rugged, snow-dusted limestone peaks and deep gorges as you cross from Central to Eastern Anatolia.
Fertile Crescent
The dramatic shift from mountain terrain to the lush, historic agricultural plains of Upper Mesopotamia.
Tigris River
Aerial views of the ancient, winding river that has sustained civilizations for millennia.
Mosul Cityscape
A view of the historic city on the banks of the Tigris during the transit through Northern Iraq.
Opt for a morning flight to have the sun behind you, illuminating the Taurus mountain folds. During winter, these peaks are heavily snow-capped, providing excellent contrast for photography. Look for the Tigris about 30-40 minutes before landing.
Get eSIMs for Turkey
Get eSIMs for IraqDistance: 1,258 km (782 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 41 min
Departure: ESB (40.1281013489, 32.995098114)
Arrival: BGW (33.262500762900004, 44.2346000671)
Route Type: International
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