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ISU → IST
Which side of the plane to sit from Sulaymaniyah International Airport (Sulaymaniyah) to Istanbul Airport (Istanbul)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers a superior panorama of the rugged Taurus Mountains and the striking contrast of the Black Sea coast during the final approach into Istanbul.
Search flights from ISU to IST
Zagros Mountains
Dramatic view of the snow-capped peaks surrounding Sulaymaniyah during the initial climb.
Euphrates River
The winding path of one of Western Asia's most historic rivers cutting through the Turkish landscape.
Mount Erciyes
A magnificent view of the massive dormant volcano near Kayseri, rising sharply from the Anatolian plateau.
Ankara Skyline
Distant views of the Turkish capital's urban sprawl as the flight heads northwest.
Black Sea Coastline
The lush green mountains of the Pontic range meeting the deep blue of the Black Sea on descent.
Sit on the left for the most consistent mountain views. Aim for an afternoon flight to see the sun illuminating the Anatolian plateau from behind you, avoiding direct glare. During landing at IST, the left side often provides a better view of the Black Sea entrance to the Bosphorus.
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Sulaymaniyah City
A clear view of the city center and the iconic Grand Millennium tower immediately after takeoff.
Tuz Gölü (Salt Lake)
The massive, bright white expanse of Turkey's second-largest lake, particularly vibrant in summer.
Bosphorus Strait
On many approach paths, the right side gets a classic view of the bridges connecting Europe and Asia.
Sea of Marmara
Dozens of cargo ships anchored at the southern entrance to the Bosphorus before landing.
Choose the right side if you prefer seeing the urban layout of Istanbul. In the morning, the sun will be on the left, so the right side offers a shaded, glare-free view for photography. Watch for the white salt flats of Tuz Gölü roughly midway through the flight.
Book Hotels in IstanbulDistance: 1,573 km (977 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 2 hrs 6 min
Departure: ISU (35.5617485046, 45.3167381287)
Arrival: IST (41.275278, 28.751944)
Route Type: International
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