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IAH → IST
Which side of the plane to sit from George Bush Intercontinental Houston Airport (Houston) to Istanbul Airport (Istanbul)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers superior views of the North Atlantic coastline, the British Isles, and a more dramatic approach over the Black Sea into Istanbul Airport.
Houston Departure
Clear views of the Houston metro area and the complex freeway interchanges shortly after takeoff from IAH.
Newfoundland Coastline
Stunning views of the rugged, icy cliffs and deep fjords of eastern Canada before crossing the Atlantic.
The Emerald Isle
First landfall over Ireland, featuring lush green landscapes and the rocky western coastline.
London & Southern England
High-altitude views of the Thames River and the dense urban sprawl of the Greater London area.
Black Sea Descent
The final approach often follows the Turkish coastline along the deep blue waters of the Black Sea.
On this overnight flight, choose the left side for the best sunrise views over Europe. As you approach IST, the left side usually provides a clear view of the Black Sea coastline. For photography, avoid seats over the wing (rows 20-40 on typical wide-body jets) to ensure an unobstructed view of the European landscape.
US East Coast Lights
Distant views of the glowing megalopolis including DC, Philadelphia, and New York during the night crossing.
The English Channel
Visibility of the busy shipping lanes and the northern coast of France across the water.
The Carpathians
Snow-capped peaks and winding valleys of the Carpathian Mountains throughout Romania and Bulgaria.
The Bosphorus
During specific landing patterns from the south, spectacular views of the bridges connecting Europe and Asia.
Golden Horn
Glimpses of Istanbul's historic peninsula, including Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque on clear days.
The right side is ideal if the flight takes a more southerly track over the Alps and the Mediterranean. Since the sun rises in the east, the right side will be quite bright during the morning hours over Europe; keep your window shade down if you plan to sleep. Watch for the Sea of Marmara and the dense shipping traffic on the final descent.
Distance: 10,232 km (6,358 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 12 hrs 2 min
Departure: IAH (29.98439979553223, -95.34140014648438)
Arrival: IST (41.275278, 28.751944)
Route Type: International
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