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NUE → SAW
Which side of the plane to sit from Nuremberg Airport (Nuernberg) to Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (Istanbul)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side is slightly preferred for its early views of the Austrian Alps and the classic approach into Istanbul over the Sea of Marmara and the Prince Islands.
Austrian Alps
Distant but clear views of the snow-capped Northern Limestone Alps visible to the south during the first hour.
Vienna Basin
The sprawling city of Vienna and its surrounding vineyards are often visible as the flight path crosses Austria.
Belgrade
The confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers marks the site of the Serbian capital clearly visible from altitude.
Balkan Mountains
Rugged terrain and deep valleys of the Balkan Peninsula stretching across Serbia and Bulgaria.
Sea of Marmara
A beautiful view of the Prince Islands and the heavy maritime traffic entering the Bosphorus during the final descent.
The right side is ideal for afternoon or evening flights to catch the sunset over the Balkan Peninsula. On the approach to Sabiha Gökçen, look for the distinct cluster of the Prince Islands in the Sea of Marmara. On very clear days, you may see the distant silhouette of Mount Uludağ to the south near Bursa.
Bohemian Forest
Rolling green hills and dense forests along the German-Czech border visible shortly after departure.
Budapest & Danube
Aerial views of the Hungarian capital and the winding Danube river as the flight traverses Central Europe.
Southern Carpathians
The dramatic and rugged peaks of the Romanian mountain range offer spectacular high-altitude scenery.
Black Sea Coast
The turquoise waters of the western Black Sea become visible as the aircraft begins its descent into Turkey.
Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge
The northernmost bridge crossing the Bosphorus Strait can often be spotted on the final approach into SAW.
Choose the left side for morning flights to minimize direct sun glare and enjoy better views of the Carpathian range. Keep an eye out about 80 minutes into the flight for the transition from the Pannonian Basin to the Romanian mountains. During winter, the snow-covered peaks of the Carpathians are a major highlight on this side.
Distance: 1,712 km (1,064 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 2 hrs 17 min
Departure: NUE (49.498699, 11.078056)
Arrival: SAW (40.898601532, 29.3092002869)
Route Type: International
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