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LHR → IST
Which side of the plane to sit from London Heathrow Airport (London) to Istanbul Airport (Istanbul)?
Right Side of the Plane
The Right Side is the clear winner for this route as it offers a front-row seat to the most dramatic peaks of the Swiss and Austrian Alps, followed by a superior view of the Istanbul skyline and the Bosphorus upon arrival.
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The High Alps
Breath-taking vistas of the highest snow-capped peaks in Switzerland and Austria.
The Danube River
Spotting the winding blue ribbon of the Danube as it flows toward the Black Sea.
Balkan Mountains
Rugged, limestone ridges and deep valleys across Serbia and Bulgaria.
The Bosphorus
On many approach patterns, this side sees the bridges connecting Europe and Asia.
Istanbul Old City
Aerial perspectives of the Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque if the flight circles from the south.
Sit behind the wing for an unobstructed view of the Alps, which are the highlight of the mid-flight segment. For the best landing experience, the right side usually provides a magnificent view of the Bosphorus and the city's iconic minarets during the final bank toward the runway.
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English Channel
Aerial views of the busy shipping lanes and the transition from the UK to the French coastline.
Benelux Urban Centers
Visible views of Brussels and the sprawling urban landscape of the Low Countries.
Bavarian Landscape
The green hills and historic cities of Southern Germany, often passing near Munich.
Pannonian Basin
The vast, golden agricultural plains of Hungary and the northern Balkans.
Black Sea Coast
Final approach views of the deep blue Black Sea meeting the lush northern Turkish forests.
The left side is preferable on early morning flights to avoid the harsh southern sun. It offers a cooler, softer light for photography and provides the best view of the Black Sea just before the plane turns for its final descent into Istanbul Airport.
Get eSIMs for United Kingdom
Get eSIMs for TurkeyDistance: 2,489 km (1,547 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 3 hrs 19 min
Departure: LHR (51.4706, -0.461941)
Arrival: IST (41.275278, 28.751944)
Route Type: International
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