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GRU → IST
Which side of the plane to sit from Guarulhos - Governador André Franco Montoro International Airport (Sao Paulo) to Istanbul Airport (Istanbul)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side provides the most dramatic views of the Saharan interior rock formations and offers a prime vantage point for the Bosphorus and the Asian side of Istanbul during the final approach.
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Recife Skyline
The 'Venice of Brazil' is often visible as the flight path hugs the easternmost tip of South America.
Cape Verde Archipelago
Spot the volcanic silhouettes of these islands rising from the Atlantic during the crossing.
Tassili n'Ajjer
Incredible views of the lunar-like sandstone plateaus and rock forests in the Algerian Sahara.
Ancient Carthage
Views of the Gulf of Tunis and the historic ruins along the Tunisian shoreline.
Bosphorus Strait
The iconic waterway dividing Europe and Asia, visible during the final descent into Istanbul Airport.
Princes' Islands
Small, picturesque islands in the Sea of Marmara seen just before landing.
The right side is highly recommended for the arrival into Istanbul. Depending on the wind, the plane usually circles over the Sea of Marmara, providing a perfect view of the Bosphorus and the historic peninsula. For the Sahara portion, the right side captures more varied geological formations like the Ahaggar Mountains. Wear sunglasses as the desert sun reflection can be intense.
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Brazilian Gold Coast
Aerial views of the coastline between Rio de Janeiro and Salvador shortly after departure.
Transatlantic Sunrise
Witness the sun rising over the Atlantic horizon midway through the flight.
Mauritanian Sand Seas
Endless rolling dunes of the Western Sahara as the flight enters the African continent.
Algiers Coastline
The dense urban sprawl of the Algerian capital meeting the deep blue Mediterranean.
Balkan Peaks
The rugged terrain of the Balkan Peninsula as the flight crosses into Eastern Europe.
Select the left side if you enjoy watching the sunrise over the open ocean. Since this route often departs GRU in the evening, the first few hours are dark, so focus your viewing on the North African coast and the approach into Europe which will occur in daylight. Use a flight tracker to time the crossing of the Mediterranean for the best coastal views.
Get eSIMs for Brazil
Get eSIMs for TurkeyDistance: 10,559 km (6,561 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 12 hrs 25 min
Departure: GRU (-23.435556411743164, -46.47305679321289)
Arrival: IST (41.275278, 28.751944)
Route Type: International
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