IST → BUS

Bosphorus Strait

Shortly after takeoff from IST, you can often see the bridges connecting Europe and Asia and the dense urban sprawl of Istanbul.

Pontic Mountains

The rugged North Anatolian mountains provide a dramatic backdrop, with peaks reaching over 3,000 meters as you move east.

Coastal Cities

Clear views of major Turkish Black Sea ports including Samsun, Ordu, and the historic city of Trabzon.

Rize Tea Plantations

The landscape turns a vibrant emerald green near Rize, home to Turkey's famous terraced tea gardens.

Kaçkar Peaks

The highest part of the mountain range near the Georgian border, often covered in snow even during late spring.

The Black Sea

An endless expanse of deep blue water stretching toward the horizon throughout the majority of the flight duration.

Batumi Skyline

On the final approach, the modern and unique architecture of the Batumi waterfront, including the Alphabet Tower, becomes visible.

Gonio Fortress

Located just south of the airport, this Roman fortification is visible as the plane banks for its final descent into BUS.