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IST → LYS
Which side of the plane to sit from Istanbul Airport (Istanbul) to Lyon Saint-Exupéry Airport (Lyon)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side is superior for this westbound route as it provides a front-row seat to the High Alps and the northern face of Mont Blanc during the descent, with the sun typically positioned to the south, reducing glare.
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Black Sea Coast
Panoramic views of the northern Turkish shoreline immediately after takeoff from IST.
Balkan Range
The central mountain backbone of Bulgaria, often featuring dramatic cloud formations.
Belgrade
The confluence of the Danube and Sava rivers marking the location of the Serbian capital.
High Alps
The most spectacular part of the flight, crossing the snow-capped Italian and French Alpine ridges.
Mont Blanc
The highest peak in Europe usually appears as a massive white massif to the north shortly before landing.
The Alpine crossing begins approximately 45 minutes before arrival at Lyon. For the best photos of Mont Blanc, sit in a window seat forward of the wing to avoid engine heat haze. During winter, the snow-covered peaks of the High Alps are exceptionally brilliant on this side of the aircraft.
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Sea of Marmara
Watch the heavy maritime traffic and the Princes' Islands during the climb out of Istanbul.
Dinaric Alps
The rugged, karst limestone peaks of the Balkans stretching through Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Dalmatian Archipelago
A stunning view of the thousands of white-stone islands along the Croatian coastline.
Venetian Lagoon
On clear days, the unique footprint of Venice is visible across the Adriatic Sea.
Rhône Valley
The final descent offers views of the rolling hills and famous vineyards of the Lyon region.
Choose this side for the best views of the turquoise Adriatic coast about midway through the flight. If flying in the morning, this side will be in the shade, providing better conditions for viewing the ground without sun glare. Watch for the Istrian Peninsula roughly 100 minutes after takeoff.
Get eSIMs for Turkey
Get eSIMs for FranceDistance: 1,964 km (1,220 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 2 hrs 37 min
Departure: IST (41.275278, 28.751944)
Arrival: LYS (45.725556, 5.081111)
Route Type: International
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