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IST â DLA
Which side of the plane to sit from Istanbul Airport (Istanbul) to Douala International Airport (Douala)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers a superior view of the Bosphorus upon departure, a more direct line of sight to the eastern Sahara rock formations, and the best views of Lake Chad and the Cameroon Highlands.
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Istanbul & Bosphorus
Aerial view of the Bosphorus Bridge and the historic peninsula of Istanbul immediately after takeoff.
Greek Archipelago
Views of the Dodecanese and Cretan islands scattered across the deep blue Mediterranean Sea.
Tibesti Mountains
The rugged, dark volcanic peaks of the Tibesti range rising from the Sahara in northern Chad.
Lake Chad Basin
The shimmering waters and wetlands of Lake Chad, providing a stark contrast to the surrounding desert.
Adamawa Plateau
The high savannahs and mountain ranges of central Cameroon as the flight descends toward Douala.
For the best experience, choose a window seat on a daytime flight, as the Sahara's geological patterns are stunning in high-noon light. Upon departure from IST, the left side typically gets a panoramic view of the city center if taking off to the south. Keep an eye out for the transition from sand dunes to the Sahel greenery about 4 hours into the flight.
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Cyrenaica Coastline
The northern coast of Libya where the Mediterranean meets the vast African continent.
TÊnÊrÊ Desert
Infinite vistas of golden sand dunes and the 'Great Sand Sea' spanning across Niger and Libya.
Air Mountains
Distant views of the massive granitic intrusions and cross-sections of the Saharan shield.
Mount Cameroon
On a clear day during the approach, the peak of West Africa's highest active volcano may be visible to the northwest.
Wouri River Estuary
The winding brown waters of the Wouri River as it empties into the Atlantic near Douala.
The right side is ideal for catching the Saharan sunset if you are on a late afternoon flight. During the descent into Douala, watch for the dense tropical rainforest canopy. Use a polarizer filter if taking photos to cut through the Saharan haze (Harmattan), which is particularly thick between December and February.
Book Hotels in DoualaDistance: 4,558 km (2,832 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 5 hrs 22 min
Departure: IST (41.275278, 28.751944)
Arrival: DLA (4.0060801506, 9.71947956085)
Route Type: International
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