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KWI → SAW
Which side of the plane to sit from Kuwait International Airport (Kuwait) to Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (Istanbul)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers the most dramatic views of the Taurus Mountains, the vast salt flats of Lake Tuz, and the scenic approach over the Sea of Marmara toward Istanbul.
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Kuwait City Skyline
A stunning aerial view of the Kuwait Towers and the Persian Gulf coastline shortly after takeoff.
Mesopotamian Marshes
A unique perspective of the vast Iraqi wetlands where the Tigris and Euphrates rivers converge.
Taurus Mountains
Breathtaking views of the snow-capped rugged peaks as the aircraft crosses into Southern Turkey.
Lake Tuz
One of the world's largest hypersaline lakes, appearing as a brilliant white or pinkish expanse from above.
Princes' Islands
A picturesque group of islands in the Sea of Marmara visible during the final descent into SAW.
For the best photographic lighting, opt for a morning flight to keep the sun behind you. Lake Tuz is particularly vibrant in the summer months when the water evaporates to reveal the salt crust. Ensure you sit ahead of or behind the wing to capture the Taurus Mountain peaks clearly.
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Shatt al-Arab
The historic waterway formed by the union of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers near the Iraqi border.
Baghdad Urban Sprawl
The winding path of the Tigris River cutting through the dense, circular urban layout of the Iraqi capital.
Zagros Mountains
Distant but majestic views of the high mountain range that forms the border between Iraq and Iran.
Anatolian Plateau
The diverse agricultural patterns and rolling golden hills characteristic of Central Turkey.
Istanbul Eastern Suburbs
A bird's-eye view of the sprawling residential and industrial areas of Istanbul's Asian side before landing.
The right side is ideal for late afternoon flights to catch the sunset over the Anatolian plains. If the flight path takes a northern loop for landing, you may catch a glimpse of the Black Sea. Watch for the lights of Baghdad if flying at night, which create a massive glowing grid in the desert.
Book Hotels in IstanbulDistance: 2,130 km (1,324 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 2 hrs 50 min
Departure: KWI (29.226600646972656, 47.96889877319336)
Arrival: SAW (40.898601532, 29.3092002869)
Route Type: International
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