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OTP → IST
Which side of the plane to sit from Henri Coandă International Airport (Bucharest) to Istanbul Airport (Istanbul)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side is superior for this route as it offers the iconic view of the Bosphorus Strait and the Black Sea coastline during the final approach into Istanbul.
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Bucharest Skyline
Detailed views of the Palace of Parliament and the northern lake districts during takeoff.
Danube River
The wide crossing of the Danube at the Giurgiu-Ruse border point between Romania and Bulgaria.
Central Balkan Mountains
Sharp ridges and deep valleys of the Stara Planina range in central Bulgaria.
Black Sea Coast
The meeting point of the Bulgarian and Turkish coastlines as the plane begins its descent.
Bosphorus Entrance
Stunning views of the Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge and the northern mouth of the Bosphorus Strait.
Choose a window seat forward of the wing to ensure an unobstructed view of the Bosphorus during the landing pattern. On clear days, the contrast between the deep blue Black Sea and the urban sprawl of Istanbul is most striking during midday flights.
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Wallachian Plains
The vast, geometric agricultural patches of southern Romania stretching toward the Danube.
Shipka Pass Area
Views of the historic mountain passes and the rugged terrain of the Bulgarian interior.
Strandzha Nature Park
Dense, lush forest canopies near the border between Bulgaria and Turkey.
Lake Terkos
A massive freshwater lagoon located immediately west of the Istanbul Airport runways.
Arnavutköy District
The impressive infrastructure and rapid development of the area surrounding the new airport.
The right side is excellent for sunset views if flying in the late afternoon. It also provides a better look at the massive engineering scale of the Istanbul Airport complex and the surrounding Lake Terkos during the final seconds before touchdown.
Book Hotels in IstanbulDistance: 426 km (265 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 43 min
Departure: OTP (44.5711111, 26.085)
Arrival: IST (41.275278, 28.751944)
Route Type: International
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