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FRA → SAW
Which side of the plane to sit from Frankfurt am Main Airport (Frankfurt) to Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (Istanbul)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side offers superior views of the highest Alpine peaks and a stunning approach over the Sea of Marmara and the Princes' Islands when landing at SAW.
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Central Eastern Alps
Spectacular views of high-altitude glaciers and the Grossglockner massif in Austria.
Adriatic Coastline
Distant but visible glimpses of the turquoise Croatian coast and Dalmatian islands.
Dinaric Alps
Rugged, karst mountain topography stretching across Bosnia and Montenegro.
Sea of Marmara
The expansive sea separating Europe and Asia, often filled with cargo ships waiting for the Bosphorus.
Princes' Islands
A cluster of nine islands in the Sea of Marmara, visible during the final descent into Sabiha Gökçen.
The right side is the 'money side' for Alpine scenery. During descent into SAW, look for the Princes' Islands (Büyükada, Heybeliada, etc.). For late afternoon flights, you'll experience a beautiful sunset over the Marmara Sea, though window glare can be intense. Seasonal tip: Winter flights offer breathtaking snow-capped views of the Bulgarian mountains.
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Bavarian Foothills
Rolling green landscapes and dense forests of Southern Germany shortly after departure.
Northern Limestone Alps
Dramatic jagged limestone peaks along the Austrian border near Salzburg.
Vienna & The Danube
Aerial views of the Austrian capital and the winding blue ribbon of the Danube River.
Pannonian Basin
The vast, flat agricultural heartland of Hungary and Northern Serbia.
Black Sea Coast
The transition from the Balkan Mountains to the deep blue of the Black Sea as you enter Turkish airspace.
Choose the left side for morning flights to avoid the glare of the southern sun. This side provides a better view of the Danube's path through Central Europe and the newer development of northern Istanbul, including the Third Bridge (Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge), if the flight path tracks north of the city.
Get eSIMs for Germany
Get eSIMs for TurkeyDistance: 1,900 km (1,181 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 2 hrs 32 min
Departure: FRA (50.033333, 8.570556)
Arrival: SAW (40.898601532, 29.3092002869)
Route Type: International
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