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IST destination photo
ISU destination photo

ISTISU

Our Recommendation
8.5

Left Side of the Plane

The left side offers the most dramatic views of the High Anatolian Plateau and the rugged northern peaks of the Zagros Mountains during the descent into the Kurdistan Region.

Left Side Highlights
8.5
🏙️

Istanbul & Bosphorus

Aerial views of the city's vast sprawl and the waterway separating Europe and Asia shortly after takeoff.

🌊

Black Sea Coast

Glimpses of the dark blue coastline as the aircraft turns southeast toward central Turkey.

🏔️

Eastern Anatolia

Stunning views of the high altitude, often snow-capped peaks of the Armenian Highlands.

⛰️

Zagros Mountains

The dramatic, jagged ridges of the Zagros range that define the landscape of northern Iraq.

🏡

Sulaymaniyah Valleys

Lush green valleys and scattered Kurdish villages nestled between mountain ridges during final approach.

Book a seat forward of the wing to avoid engine heat haze. Morning flights are ideal as the sun will be behind you or to the south, illuminating the northern mountain faces clearly. Look for the transition from the Anatolian plateau to the sharper Iraqi peaks about 30 minutes before landing.

Right Side Highlights
7.8
⛴️

Sea of Marmara

Views of the industrial and maritime activity south of Istanbul during the initial climb.

🌾

Central Anatolian Plateau

The expansive, golden-hued high plains of central Turkey featuring unique geological textures.

💧

Euphrates River

The historic, winding path of the Euphrates as it cuts through the southeastern Turkish landscape.

🏜️

Mesopotamian Fringe

The transition from the high mountains to the flatter, arid plains of the Mesopotamian basin to the south.

🏙️

Sulaymaniyah City

A close-up view of the city center and the Goyzha Mountain ridge upon arrival.

The right side is excellent for sunset flights, offering a warm glow over the rivers and plains. Keep an eye out for the Keban or Karakaya dams on the Euphrates, which appear as massive turquoise reservoirs in the middle of the arid terrain.

Top Activities in Sulaymaniyah
Route Information

Distance: 1,573 km (977 miles)

Approximate Flight Time: 2 hrs 6 min

Departure: IST (41.275278, 28.751944)

Arrival: ISU (35.5617485046, 45.3167381287)

Route Type: International

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