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IST → MLE
Which side of the plane to sit from Istanbul Airport (Istanbul) to Malé International Airport (Male)?
Right Side of the Plane
While both sides offer stunning views of the Maldives atolls upon arrival, the right side is generally preferred for its better angle of the island chains and for providing shade from the morning sun during the final approach.
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Istanbul Coastline
Panoramic views of the Marmara Sea and the outskirts of Istanbul during the initial climb.
Persian Gulf Coast
Glittering views of the coastline near the UAE and Oman, where the desert meets the sea.
Rub' al Khali Edge
Distant views of the vast golden sand dunes of the Empty Quarter desert in the Arabian Peninsula.
Male Atolls
Iconic views of turquoise lagoons, white sand islands, and luxury resorts during the descent into the Maldives.
Velana Approach
Close-up views of the capital city, Male, and the surrounding reef systems just before touchdown.
Choose the right side for the most iconic views of the Maldives during descent. Since these flights typically arrive in the morning, sitting on the right keeps the sun on the opposite side of the plane, providing perfect, soft lighting for photographing the turquoise reefs. This side also offers a better perspective of the capital city Male and the northern part of the Kaafu Atoll during the final turn for landing.
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Taurus Mountains
Dramatic views of the snow-capped peaks and rugged terrain of southern Turkey shortly after departure.
Zagros Range
Incredible folded mountain structures and desert landscapes as the flight crosses over Iran.
Gulf of Oman
The deep blue waters of the Gulf meeting the rocky, arid coastline of the Arabian Peninsula.
Indian Ocean Sunrise
Spectacular dawn colors over the horizon, as most IST-MLE flights are overnight and arrive in the morning.
Northern Atolls
The first sightings of the Maldivian coral structures including Haa Alif and Shaviyani atolls from high altitude.
The left side is spectacular for viewing the rugged Iranian mountains and catching the sunrise. However, because most flights arrive in Male during the morning, the sun will be directly hitting these windows, which can create significant glare and make photography difficult. Keep your window shade down during the mid-flight sleep to avoid being woken by the harsh early light.
Get eSIMs for Turkey
Get eSIMs for MaldivesDistance: 6,063 km (3,767 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 7 hrs 8 min
Departure: IST (41.275278, 28.751944)
Arrival: MLE (4.1918301582336435, 73.52909851074219)
Route Type: International
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