Loading map...
IST → FIH
Which side of the plane to sit from Istanbul Airport (Istanbul) to Ndjili International Airport (Kinshasa)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers a superior view of the Nile River's winding path through the Sahara and the lush transition into the Sudd wetlands before entering the dense Congo Basin rainforest.
Search flights from IST to FIH
Bosphorus & Istanbul Skyline
Stunning views of the Golden Horn and the transition from Europe to Asia immediately after takeoff.
Nile River Valley
The stark contrast between the vibrant green fertile banks of the Nile and the surrounding arid Egyptian desert.
The Sudd Wetlands
One of the world's largest freshwater wetlands in South Sudan, appearing as a complex maze of papyrus and water.
Congo Basin Canopy
An endless emerald sea of primary rainforest as you cross the equator into the heart of Africa.
Pool Malebo
A lake-like widening of the Congo River visible just before the final descent into Kinshasa.
Sit on the left for the best morning sun illumination on the Nile. For night flights, the Nile's banks are illuminated by settlements, creating a glowing line through the dark desert. The transition from desert to jungle is most dramatic on this side during the 4th to 6th hour of the flight.
Get eSIMs for Turkey
Get eSIMs for Congo (Kinshasa)
Libyan Desert
Vast stretches of the eastern Sahara with mesmerizing sand dune patterns and rock formations.
Tibesti Mountains
Rugged volcanic peaks rising from the desert floor in northern Chad, often shrouded in a light haze.
Mediterranean Coastline
Aerial views of the Turkish coast and the deep blue expanse as you cross towards the African continent.
Brazzaville View
As the plane approaches Kinshasa, the capital of neighboring Republic of the Congo is visible across the river.
The right side is ideal for photographers interested in desert morphology and geological formations over Chad. To avoid the harshest glare from the sun on southbound flights, this side is generally better in the late afternoon. Watch for the massive Congo River coming into view during the final 30 minutes of flight.
Book Hotels in KinshasaDistance: 5,254 km (3,265 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 6 hrs 11 min
Departure: IST (41.275278, 28.751944)
Arrival: FIH (-4.38575, 15.4446)
Route Type: International
Thank you for booking your travels through our travel partners. The commissions from your bookings keep this site running.