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IST → BHX
Which side of the plane to sit from Istanbul Airport (Istanbul) to Birmingham International Airport (Birmingham)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side of the aircraft offers superior views of the high Alps, the English Channel, and often a distant glimpse of the London skyline during the descent toward the West Midlands.
Search flights from IST to BHX
Istanbul Thrace
Aerial views of the sprawling Istanbul suburbs and the Thrace countryside during the initial climb.
Balkan Mountains
Rugged peaks and deep valleys across Bulgaria and Serbia as the flight reaches cruising altitude.
Southern Alps
Spectacular views of the Austrian and Swiss Alpine ranges depending on the specific flight corridor.
Rhine River Valley
The winding Rhine river and the historic landscapes of Southwest Germany.
English Channel
The crossing from continental Europe to the British Isles, often featuring the White Cliffs of Dover in the distance.
Greater London
Clear views of the London metropolitan area and its landmarks during the start of the BHX arrival sequence.
Sit on the left for morning flights to avoid direct sunlight glare. The transition over the Alps usually occurs midway through the flight (around 1 hour 45 minutes in); keep your window shade up then. During the descent, watch for the distinctive sprawl of London as the aircraft turns toward the Midlands.
Get eSIMs for Turkey
Get eSIMs for United KingdomBlack Sea Coastline
Striking views of the Turkish coast and the Black Sea immediately after departing Istanbul Airport.
Danube River Delta
Looking north toward the massive winding path of the Danube as it cuts through Eastern Europe.
Bavarian Plateau
Views of Munich's surrounding landscapes and the northern foothills of the German Alps.
The Low Countries
The intricate patchwork of canals and fields across Belgium and the southern Netherlands.
Birmingham City Centre
Excellent views of the Bullring, Rotunda, and city skyscrapers during the final approach to BHX.
The right side is ideal for capturing the destination city during the landing pattern. If the wind is from the south, the plane will loop around the city, offering a perfect photo opportunity of Birmingham's revitalized center. Evening flights on this side offer beautiful sunset views over the North Sea and English countryside.
Book Hotels in BirminghamDistance: 2,604 km (1,618 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 3 hrs 28 min
Departure: IST (41.275278, 28.751944)
Arrival: BHX (52.4538993835, -1.7480299472799998)
Route Type: International
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