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IFN → IST
Which side of the plane to sit from Esfahan Shahid Beheshti International Airport (Esfahan) to Istanbul Airport (Istanbul)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side offers a superior perspective of the iconic Mount Ararat near the border, the vibrant turquoise waters of Lake Van, and the spectacular entry into Istanbul over the Bosphorus Strait.
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Mount Ararat
The snow-capped dormant volcano and highest peak in Turkey, visible near the Iranian-Turkish border.
Lake Van
The largest lake in Turkey, known for its distinct soda waters and volcanic shoreline.
Ankara Distant View
The sprawling capital city of Turkey can often be seen on the horizon during the mid-flight cruise.
Black Sea Coastline
Lush green mountains meeting the deep blue sea as the flight nears the European continent.
Bosphorus Strait
The world-famous waterway dividing Europe and Asia, featuring the bridges connecting the two continents.
Sit on the right for the best chance to see Mount Ararat, which is most visible on clear mornings. During the descent into Istanbul, the right side usually provides a breathtaking panorama of the Bosphorus and the northern forests. Night flights are particularly beautiful on this side due to the dense city lights of Istanbul's suburbs.
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Esfahan Cityscape
Aerial view of the historical city layout and the Zayanderud River shortly after takeoff from IFN.
Zagros Mountains
Dramatic limestone ridges and deep canyons characteristic of the high Iranian plateau.
Lake Tuz
One of the world's largest hyper-saline lakes, appearing as a shimmering white expanse in Central Anatolia.
Sea of Marmara
Dense maritime traffic and the silhouette of the Princes' Islands as the plane descends.
Historical Peninsula
If landing from the south, views of the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia are possible before touchdown.
Choose the left side for golden hour flights to catch the sunset reflecting off the Anatolian salt lakes. In winter, the Zagros mountains are covered in snow, providing sharp contrast against the desert valleys. Monitor the flight path; a southern approach into IST provides the best views of the old city.
Get eSIMs for Iran
Get eSIMs for TurkeyDistance: 2,251 km (1,399 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 3 hrs
Departure: IFN (32.75080108642578, 51.86130142211914)
Arrival: IST (41.275278, 28.751944)
Route Type: International
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