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IST → BIO
Which side of the plane to sit from Istanbul Airport (Istanbul) to Bilbao Airport (Bilbao)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side offers a superior vantage point for the dramatic Pyrenees crossing and the final coastal approach over the Bay of Biscay into Bilbao.
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Balkan Mountain Ranges
Rugged, high-altitude peaks across Bulgaria and Serbia shortly after reaching cruising altitude.
Ligurian Alps
The dramatic point where the northern Italian mountains meet the Mediterranean sea near Genoa.
Pyrenees Massif
A spectacular crossing of the snow-capped peaks forming the natural border between France and Spain.
Bay of Biscay
A sweeping view of the jagged Cantabrian coastline and deep blue Atlantic waters during the final descent.
The Pyrenees crossing occurs approximately 40 minutes before landing; have your camera ready. For afternoon flights, this side avoids the harsh southern sun glare, providing perfect lighting for mountain photography.
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Adriatic Archipelago
Glittering views of the Croatian islands and the turquoise waters along the Dalmatian coast.
Tyrrhenian Shoreline
Aerial perspectives of the Italian coastline near Rome and the scenic Pontine Islands.
Balearic Distant Horizon
On clear days, see the shimmering outlines of Menorca and Mallorca in the Mediterranean distance.
Ebro River Valley
The winding river and the sprawling vineyards of the Rioja region as the plane enters Northern Spain.
Choose the left side for morning flights to keep the sun behind you. Look out for the distinctive red soil of the Spanish interior and the transition from Mediterranean blue to the green valleys of the Ebro basin.
Get eSIMs for Turkey
Get eSIMs for SpainDistance: 2,599 km (1,615 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 3 hrs 28 min
Departure: IST (41.275278, 28.751944)
Arrival: BIO (43.30110168457031, -2.9106099605560303)
Route Type: International
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