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IST → ICN
Which side of the plane to sit from Istanbul Airport (Istanbul) to Incheon International Airport (Seoul)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers spectacular views of the Great Caucasus Range shortly after departure, followed by the vast northern expanses of the Caspian Sea and the rugged Mongolian steppes.
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Greater Caucasus Mountains
Dramatic snow-capped peaks including Mt. Elbrus, the highest point in Europe, visible as you cross between the Black and Caspian Seas.
Northern Caspian Sea
The unique shallow turquoise waters and delta systems of the northern Caspian coast near the Russian and Kazakh borders.
Kazakh Steppe
An endless horizon of golden and green grasslands that define the interior of Central Asia.
Gobi Desert North
Striking geological formations and vast stretches of the Mongolian plateau often visible during the second half of the flight.
Northern China Peaks
Rugged mountain ranges north of Beijing as the aircraft begins its descent towards the Yellow Sea.
Sit on the left to avoid direct sunlight for most of the eastbound journey, which keeps the cabin cooler and reduces glare on the window. The best mountain views occur 1.5 to 2.5 hours after departure from IST. If it is a winter flight, look for the 'frozen sea' patterns as you cross Northern China.
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Bosphorus Strait
Immediately after takeoff, catch views of the bridge connecting Europe and Asia and the sprawling Istanbul skyline.
Karakum Desert
The stark, beautiful sand dunes of Turkmenistan and the ancient oases of the Silk Road region.
Tian Shan Foothills
Distant views of the southern ranges of the 'Heavenly Mountains' near the border of Kyrgyzstan and China.
Bohai Bay & Yellow Sea
A busy maritime landscape filled with cargo ships as the flight approaches the Korean Peninsula.
Incheon Bridge
A stunning view of the 21km long bridge spanning the sea as you make the final approach into Incheon International Airport.
The right side is best for seeing the sunrise as you approach East Asia, though it can be quite bright. On final descent into ICN, this side typically offers better views of the South Korean coastline and the impressive Incheon bridge infrastructure. Keep your camera ready about 30 minutes before landing.
Book Hotels in SeoulDistance: 7,923 km (4,923 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 9 hrs 19 min
Departure: IST (41.275278, 28.751944)
Arrival: ICN (37.46910095214844, 126.45099639892578)
Route Type: International
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