Loading map...
FDH → IST
Which side of the plane to sit from Friedrichshafen Airport (Friedrichshafen) to Istanbul Airport (Istanbul)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side offers a front-row seat to the highest peaks of the Austrian Alps and a spectacular approach into Istanbul over the Sea of Marmara.
Search flights from FDH to IST
Central Alpine Ridge
Incredible views of the glacier-capped high peaks of the Austrian and Italian Alps.
Grossglockner
Potential sightings of Austria's highest peak if the flight path tracks slightly south.
Dinaric Alps
The rugged, rocky terrain of the Balkan Peninsula stretching through Slovenia and Croatia.
Balkan Mountains
Dense forests and dramatic ridges as the plane crosses over Bulgaria toward Turkey.
Sea of Marmara
Sparkling blue waters and busy shipping lanes during the descent into Istanbul.
Istanbul Skyline
Iconic views of the city's historic mosques and the sprawl of the metropolitan area on landing.
The right side is significantly more scenic for mountain lovers, offering a direct view of the high Alps. During the descent into Istanbul, this side usually provides the best view of the city's massive urban landscape and the Sea of Marmara. For afternoon flights, be aware that the sun will be on this side, which may require closing the window shade briefly.
Book Hotels in IstanbulLake Constance
Aerial views of Bregenz and the Austrian-German-Swiss border triangle immediately after takeoff.
Northern Limestone Alps
The rugged northern edge of the Alps featuring deep valleys and karst formations.
Danube River
Occasional sightings of the winding Danube as the plane crosses into Eastern Europe.
Pannonian Basin
Expansive flat plains of Hungary and northern Serbia stretching toward the horizon.
Black Sea Coast
The Bulgarian and Turkish coastline as the flight begins its final descent into Istanbul.
Sit on the left for the best views of Lake Constance during takeoff. On the approach to IST, you may see the Black Sea shoreline if the wind requires a northern landing. For morning flights, this side will be shaded, providing better conditions for photography without glare.
Get eSIMs for Germany
Get eSIMs for TurkeyDistance: 1,678 km (1,043 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 2 hrs 14 min
Departure: FDH (47.671298980699994, 9.511489868160002)
Arrival: IST (41.275278, 28.751944)
Route Type: International
Thank you for booking your travels through our travel partners. The commissions from your bookings keep this site running.