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IST → AMS
Which side of the plane to sit from Istanbul Airport (Istanbul) to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (Amsterdam)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers the most consistent landmarks, including the winding Danube River, major capital cities like Belgrade and Budapest, and a stunning distant panorama of the Austrian Alps.
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Balkan Mountains
Rugged ridges and deep valleys across Bulgaria as the plane reaches cruising altitude.
Belgrade and the Danube
The confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers at the heart of the Serbian capital.
Budapest Cityscape
A spectacular view of the Hungarian Parliament and the bridges connecting Buda and Pest.
Austrian Alps
On clear days, the snow-capped northern limestone peaks of the Alps are visible on the horizon.
Frankfurt Skyline
The dense cluster of skyscrapers known as 'Mainhattan' visible during the transit over Germany.
Book a window seat on the left for morning departures to keep the sun behind the aircraft, reducing glare for photography. Approximately 90 minutes into the flight, look down for the distinct U-shape of the Danube Bend near Budapest. During the winter, this side offers the best views of the snow-covered European mountain ranges.
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Black Sea Coastline
Vibrant turquoise waters and sandy shores visible immediately after takeoff from Istanbul.
Carpathian Mountains
The forested arc of the Southern and Western Carpathians stretching across Romania.
Prague Red Roofs
The distinctive terracotta tiles of the Czech capital's historic districts visible from high altitude.
Rhine River Valley
The industrial heartland of Germany and the busy shipping lanes of the Rhine river.
Dutch Polders
The geometric patterns of reclaimed land and canals as you descend into Schiphol.
The right side is superior for sunset flights, offering warm light over the Dutch landscape upon arrival. As you approach Amsterdam, look for the 'Polderbaan' runway if landing from the north, which provides a unique view of the North Sea coastline and the IJsselmeer lake. Keep an eye out for wind farms in the North Sea during the final descent.
Book Hotels in AmsterdamDistance: 2,184 km (1,357 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 2 hrs 55 min
Departure: IST (41.275278, 28.751944)
Arrival: AMS (52.308601, 4.76389)
Route Type: International
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