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IST → ECN
Which side of the plane to sit from Istanbul Airport (Istanbul) to Ercan International Airport (Nicosia)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers a superior view of Istanbul's historic skyline and the Bosphorus Strait during departure, followed by the dramatic descent over the Kyrenia mountain range in Cyprus.
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Historic Peninsula
Unobstructed views of the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and Topkapi Palace during the initial climb out of Istanbul.
Bosphorus Strait
The iconic waterway dividing Europe and Asia, featuring the bridges connecting the two continents.
Central Taurus Range
High-altitude views of the rugged, often snow-capped peaks of the Taurus Mountains in southern Turkey.
Five Finger Mountains
The striking limestone peaks of the Kyrenia (Pentadaktylos) range during the final approach to Ercan.
Mountain Flag
The massive, world-famous flag of Northern Cyprus painted onto the mountainside of the Kyrenia range.
Sit on the left (Seat A) for the best views of the Bosphorus bridges. On morning flights, the sun is on the opposite side, providing perfect lighting for photography of the Turkish coastline and the Cypriot mountains during descent.
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Princes' Islands
The cluster of nine islands in the Sea of Marmara shortly after departure from IST.
Mount Uludağ
Turkey's premier ski mountain near the city of Bursa, visible during the first half of the flight.
Anatolian Plateau
Vast agricultural patchworks and shifting colors of the Turkish interior landscapes.
Mediterranean Coastline
The turquoise waters of the Gulf of Antalya and the southern Turkish Riviera before crossing the sea.
Mesaoria Plain
The broad, flat agricultural heartland of Cyprus visible as the plane lines up for the runway.
The right side (Seat F) is spectacular for late afternoon or evening flights, as it captures the sunset over the Mediterranean Sea. Keep an eye out for the reflection of the sun on the Sea of Marmara just after takeoff.
Book Hotels in NicosiaDistance: 797 km (495 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 20 min
Departure: IST (41.275278, 28.751944)
Arrival: ECN (35.15470123291016, 33.49610137939453)
Route Type: International
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