Loading map...
IST → TLV
Which side of the plane to sit from Istanbul Airport (Istanbul) to Ben Gurion International Airport (Tel-aviv)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers a superior vantage point for the historic Bosphorus at departure, the rugged Taurus Mountains of Turkey, and the entire coastline of Israel during the final approach.
Istanbul & Bosphorus
Breathtaking views of the historic peninsula, the Golden Horn, and the bridges connecting Europe and Asia shortly after takeoff.
Sea of Marmara
A clear view of the Princes' Islands and the bustling maritime traffic heading toward the Dardanelles.
Taurus Mountains
The dramatic, often snow-capped peaks of the Western Taurus range provide a rugged contrast to the Mediterranean coast.
Cyprus Island
On clear days, the northern and eastern coastlines of Cyprus are visible as the flight path passes the island.
Levantine Coastline
An unparalleled view of the Israeli coast, including Haifa Bay and Mount Carmel, during the descent into Tel Aviv.
Sit on the left for the best geographic context. For morning flights, this side is shaded, providing perfect lighting for photography of the Turkish coast and the Israeli shoreline. Ensure you look out about 20 minutes before landing to see the white cliffs of Rosh HaNikra on the border.
Thrace Peninsula
Views of the rolling agricultural landscapes of the European side of Turkey before the plane turns south.
Dodecanese Islands
Distant glimpses of Greek islands like Rhodes and Karpathos scattered across the deep blue Aegean Sea.
Mediterranean Horizon
Uninterrupted views of the horizon, which are particularly stunning during sunset flights over the eastern Mediterranean.
Tel Aviv Skyline
During the final banking maneuver over the sea, the right side often gets a direct view of the Tel Aviv-Yafo beachfront and skyscrapers.
Choose the right side for evening flights to experience the sunset over the sea. While much of the mid-flight is over open water, the right side is excellent for seeing the 'White City' of Tel Aviv during the final approach patterns, which often involve a 180-degree turn over the Mediterranean.
Distance: 1,166 km (725 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 33 min
Departure: IST (41.275278, 28.751944)
Arrival: TLV (32.011398315429695, 34.88669967651367)
Route Type: International
Thank you for booking your travels through our travel partners. The commissions from your bookings keep this site running.