Loading map...
IST → NSI
Which side of the plane to sit from Istanbul Airport (Istanbul) to Yaoundé Nsimalen International Airport (Yaounde)?
Left Side of the Plane
The Left Side is superior for this route as it offers better perspectives of the Nile Delta region during the Mediterranean crossing, the most dramatic peaks of the Tibesti Mountains in Chad, and the lush transition into the Cameroon highlands.
Search flights from IST to NSI
Turkish Mediterranean Coast
Breathtaking views of the turquoise 'Turkaegean' coastline and the Taurus Mountains as you depart Turkish airspace.
Nile Delta
A stark contrast of lush green vegetation meeting the Mediterranean Sea against the surrounding golden desert sands.
Tibesti Mountains
View the Emi Koussi volcano, the highest point in the Sahara, featuring spectacular dark volcanic rock formations.
Lake Chad
Catch a glimpse of this historically massive but shrinking lake, a vital oasis for the Sahel region.
Adamawa Plateau
The landscape transforms from dry savanna to the vibrant, rolling green hills of central Cameroon.
For the best visibility of the Sahara's geological features, choose a morning departure from IST. The sun will be behind you or directly above, reducing glare on the left windows. Ensure you have a window seat forward of the wing to avoid engine heat haze distortion when photographing the Tibesti peaks.
Get eSIMs for Turkey
Get eSIMs for Cameroon
Aegean Archipelago
Glimpses of the Dodecanese islands scattered across the deep blue Mediterranean Sea.
Great Sand Sea
Vast, undulating longitudinal dunes of the Libyan Desert stretching toward the horizon.
Oil Fields of Libya
Intricate patterns of service roads and industrial infrastructure visible in the remote desert expanse.
Intertropical Convergence Zone
Witness massive, towering cumulonimbus clouds and dramatic weather systems as you approach the equator.
The right side is ideal for travelers who enjoy minimalist desert landscapes and vast horizons. During evening flights, this side will catch the sunset over the Sahara, providing exceptional golden hour lighting for landscape photography. Keep an eye out for dust storms (Harmattan) which can create a surreal orange haze over the terrain during winter months.
Book Hotels in YaoundeDistance: 4,515 km (2,805 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 5 hrs 19 min
Departure: IST (41.275278, 28.751944)
Arrival: NSI (3.722559928894043, 11.553299903869627)
Route Type: International
Thank you for booking your travels through our travel partners. The commissions from your bookings keep this site running.