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IST → BKK
Which side of the plane to sit from Istanbul Airport (Istanbul) to Suvarnabhumi Airport (Bangkok)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers superior views of the dramatic mountain ranges of Central Asia, including the Alborz and the Hindu Kush, with distant glimpses of the Himalayas during the mid-flight segment.
Search flights from IST to BKK
Black Sea Coast
Initial climb-out provides a sweeping view of the Turkish northern coastline and the deep blue Black Sea.
Alborz Mountains
Dramatic views of Northern Iran, featuring snow-capped peaks and the massive Mount Damavand.
Hindu Kush
Stunning, rugged terrain over Afghanistan with sharp ridges and deep valleys.
Himalayan Horizon
On clear days, the distant white peaks of the Himalayas are visible to the north over India and Nepal.
Irrawaddy River
The winding silver ribbons of Myanmar's great river systems visible during the descent phase.
Northern Bangkok
A view of the sprawling suburban landscape and rice paddies as the aircraft aligns for Suvarnabhumi.
Most flights on this route depart Istanbul in the evening. For the best experience, choose a flight that arrives in Bangkok in the late afternoon to catch the mountains in daylight. If on a night flight, the moonlit Hindu Kush is ethereal. Sit ahead of the wing to ensure your view of the mountain horizons isn't obstructed by engine heat haze.
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Anatolian Plateau
The high, arid heartland of Turkey with unique geological formations and salt lakes.
Zagros Mountains
The folded mountain belts of Western Iran showing incredible tectonic layering.
Thar Desert
The vast 'Great Indian Desert' with its golden sands and geometric irrigation patterns.
Bay of Bengal
A long transit over the deep blue waters, often featuring impressive tropical cloud formations.
Andaman Coastline
The tropical islands and turquoise fringes of the Myanmar and Thai coasts during descent.
Bangkok Skyline
The dense skyscraper clusters and the Chao Phraya River as the plane circles for landing.
The right side is ideal for night flights to see the shimmering lights of Indian coastal cities. During the final approach into BKK, this side often provides a better view of the Bangkok city center depending on the wind direction. For morning arrivals, the right side avoids the direct glare of the rising sun, making it easier to take photos of the Thai coastline.
Book Hotels in BangkokDistance: 7,512 km (4,668 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 8 hrs 50 min
Departure: IST (41.275278, 28.751944)
Arrival: BKK (13.681099891662598, 100.74700164794922)
Route Type: International
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