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FRA → IST
Which side of the plane to sit from Frankfurt am Main Airport (Frankfurt) to Istanbul Airport (Istanbul)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side offers a superior panorama of the Austrian Alps to the south and often provides iconic views of Istanbul's southern coastline and the Sea of Marmara during the descent.
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Austrian Alps
Majestic, snow-capped peaks of the northern Alpine range visible in the distance to the south.
Belgrade
The strategic confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers in the heart of the Balkans.
Balkan Mountains
Rugged, high-altitude terrain stretching across Serbia and Bulgaria with deep valleys.
Sea of Marmara
Hundreds of cargo ships queuing to enter the Bosphorus Strait during the final descent.
Istanbul Peninsula
On specific southern approach patterns, views of the Golden Horn and the historic skyline.
The right side is ideal for afternoon flights to capture the golden hour light hitting the Alps. If the flight lands from the south, this side provides the best view of the city center and the Bosphorus. Seasonal tip: Snow coverage on the Balkans in winter makes the terrain particularly photogenic.
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Spessart Nature Park
Dense green forest canopies of the German highlands shortly after takeoff from Frankfurt.
Nuremberg
Clear views of the historic urban layout and the castle of the Franconian capital.
Budapest
The dramatic 'Pearl of the Danube' with its iconic Parliament building and bridges visible in clear weather.
Danube River Delta
The serpentine path of Europe's second-longest river as it winds toward the east.
Black Sea Coast
Vibrant turquoise waters as the aircraft enters Turkish airspace near the destination.
Sit on the left for morning flights to keep the sun behind you. This side is better for spotting the major cities of Central Europe like Budapest. Keep an eye out for the distinct 'Danube Bend' north of Hungary.
Get eSIMs for Germany
Get eSIMs for TurkeyDistance: 1,837 km (1,141 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 2 hrs 27 min
Departure: FRA (50.033333, 8.570556)
Arrival: IST (41.275278, 28.751944)
Route Type: International
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