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IST → RTM
Which side of the plane to sit from Istanbul Airport (Istanbul) to Rotterdam The Hague Airport (Rotterdam)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side provides a superior vantage point for viewing the distant snow-capped peaks of the Alps to the south and offers a better angle for the iconic industrial landscape of the Port of Rotterdam during the final approach.
Search flights from IST to RTM
Balkan Mountains
Rugged peaks stretching across Bulgaria as the flight heads northwest from Istanbul.
Danube River
Multiple crossings of Europe's second-longest river near the borders of Serbia and Hungary.
Distant Alps
Clear views of the northern edge of the Austrian and Swiss Alps on the southern horizon.
Rhine Valley
The winding Rhine River and its famous vineyard-covered slopes in Western Germany.
Port of Rotterdam
The massive scale of one of the world's largest ports and the North Sea coastline during descent.
Choose the left side for morning flights to keep the sun behind you. Look out for the Alps roughly 90 minutes into the flight. If the wind is from the west, the left side offers the best view of the Erasmus Bridge and Rotterdam's unique architecture during the final turn to the runway.
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Black Sea Coast
Aerial views of the Turkish and Bulgarian coastlines immediately following takeoff from IST.
Transylvanian Alps
Dense forests and high ridges of the Southern Carpathian Mountains in Romania.
Frankfurt Skyline
The high-rise financial district of Frankfurt is often visible as you cross into Germany.
Ruhr Area
The dense industrial heartland of Germany featuring a network of cities and factories.
Dutch Polders
The iconic, perfectly geometric green fields and drainage canals of the Netherlands.
The right side is ideal for late afternoon flights to witness the sunset reflecting off the many rivers and lakes of Central Europe. It also provides a better view of the northern German plains and the transition into the flat, reclaimed landscapes of the Dutch polders.
Book Hotels in RotterdamDistance: 2,188 km (1,360 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 2 hrs 55 min
Departure: IST (41.275278, 28.751944)
Arrival: RTM (51.956902, 4.43722)
Route Type: International
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