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IST β HBE
Which side of the plane to sit from Istanbul Airport (Istanbul) to Borg El Arab International Airport (Alexandria)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers a superior view of the rugged Turkish Aegean coastline, the historic island of Rhodes, and the lush green periphery of the Nile Delta upon arrival in Egypt.
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Istanbul & Sea of Marmara
Catch a sprawling view of the city and the heavy maritime traffic in the Marmara Sea immediately after departure.
Mount UludaΔ
View the prominent peaks near Bursa as the aircraft traverses the Western Anatolian landscape.
Rhodes Island
A clear view of the large Dodecanese island and its historic coastline as you transition into the Mediterranean.
Nile Delta Fringes
Observe the stark contrast between the fertile green lands of the Delta and the surrounding arid terrain.
Alexandria Port
Panoramic views of the ancient cityβs modern harbor and industrial zones during the final descent into Borg El Arab.
Sit on the left for morning flights to avoid the harsh glare of the southern sun. This side is particularly rewarding for seeing the transition from the mountainous Turkish coast to the flat, fertile Egyptian Delta. Keep your camera ready about 20 minutes before landing to capture the Alexandria coastline.
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Dardanelles Strait
A distant but distinct view of the strategic waterway separating Europe and Asia to the west.
Aegean Archipelago
Spot islands like Lesbos and Chios scattered across the deep blue waters of the Aegean Sea.
Mediterranean Horizon
Uninterrupted views of the vast Mediterranean, often filled with cargo ships on the Suez Canal route.
North African Shoreline
The golden, arid coastline of Egypt appears as the aircraft banks for its final approach to the airport.
The right side is the premier choice for late afternoon or evening flights to witness the sunset over the Mediterranean Sea. While it offers fewer land-based landmarks than the left, the views of the Aegean islands are stunning on clear days. Watch for the dramatic change in water color as the plane nears the North African shelf.
Book Hotels in AlexandriaDistance: 1,155 km (718 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 32 min
Departure: IST (41.275278, 28.751944)
Arrival: HBE (30.91769981384277, 29.696399688720703)
Route Type: International
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