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MAD → SAW
Which side of the plane to sit from Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (Madrid) to Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (Istanbul)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers a superior view of the European coastline and a dramatic approach over the Bosphorus and Istanbul's historic center before landing at SAW.
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Madrid Outskirts
Aerial view of the Spanish capital and the arid Meseta plateau shortly after takeoff.
Costa Brava
The rugged coastline of northeastern Spain as the flight crosses into the Mediterranean.
The Alps (Distant)
On clear days, the snow-capped southern ridges of the European Alps are visible to the far north.
Balkan Mountains
Rugged terrain and deep valleys across Montenegro, Serbia, and Bulgaria.
Bosphorus Bridge
The iconic suspension bridges connecting Europe and Asia during the final descent.
Book a seat on the left for the most iconic views of the Istanbul skyline and the Bosphorus during the approach to SAW. For morning flights, this side remains in the shade, reducing glare for photography. In winter, look for snow cover over the Balkan ranges which provides stunning contrast.
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Balearic Islands
Excellent views of Majorca and Menorca set against the turquoise Mediterranean waters.
Sardinia & Corsica
The flight path often passes directly between or over these two major Mediterranean islands.
Mount Vesuvius
Look south when crossing Italy to spot the famous volcano near the Bay of Naples.
Princes' Islands
The beautiful archipelago in the Sea of Marmara just before touching down at SAW.
Sea of Marmara
Expansive views of the busy shipping lanes entering the Bosphorus from the south.
The right side is ideal for island spotting across the Mediterranean and seeing the Princes' Islands near Istanbul. Note that the southern sun can be quite strong on this side during midday flights, so keep your window shade partially down to prevent overheating. Best for afternoon flights to catch the golden hour over the Sea of Marmara.
Book Hotels in IstanbulDistance: 2,756 km (1,712 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 3 hrs 40 min
Departure: MAD (40.471926, -3.56264)
Arrival: SAW (40.898601532, 29.3092002869)
Route Type: International
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