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MAD → IST
Which side of the plane to sit from Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (Madrid) to Istanbul Airport (Istanbul)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers more dramatic geographic diversity, including the Pyrenees mountains, the French Riviera coastline, and distant views of the Alps.
Pyrenees Mountains
Dramatic snow-capped peaks marking the border between Spain and France shortly after takeoff.
French Riviera
Stunning aerial views of the Côte d'Azur, including the cities of Nice, Cannes, and the principality of Monaco.
The Alps
On clear days, the southern edge of the Alps is visible to the north while crossing over Northern Italy.
Balkan Peninsula
Rugged mountain ranges and river valleys spanning across Bulgaria and Northern Greece.
Black Sea Coast
The dramatic meeting of the European continent and the Black Sea as the plane turns for its final approach.
Sit on the left for morning flights to avoid direct sunlight glare. Keep your camera ready about 30 minutes after departure for the Pyrenees. During the descent into IST, this side often provides a better view of the northern forests and the Black Sea coastline.
Balearic Islands
Clear views of Mallorca and Menorca surrounded by the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean.
Corsica and Sardinia
The mountainous terrain and rocky coastlines of these two major Mediterranean islands.
Italian Peninsula
Views of the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Italian coastline, often passing near the city of Rome.
Adriatic Sea
The deep blue expanse of the Adriatic with glimpses of the Dalmatian Coast islands to the far east.
Sea of Marmara
A view of the busy shipping lanes and the Princes' Islands just before touchdown in Istanbul.
The right side is ideal for catching Mediterranean sunsets on evening flights. It offers better views of the Italian islands and the Sea of Marmara during the final approach. Be aware that the afternoon sun will be strongest on this side of the aircraft.
Distance: 2,703 km (1,680 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 3 hrs 36 min
Departure: MAD (40.471926, -3.56264)
Arrival: IST (41.275278, 28.751944)
Route Type: International
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