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SAW → CGN
Which side of the plane to sit from Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (Istanbul) to Cologne Bonn Airport (Cologne)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers a more scenic journey across the heart of Europe, featuring the distant but majestic peaks of the Alps and a prime view of the Rhine's winding valley during the final descent.
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Sea of Marmara
Right after takeoff from SAW, enjoy views of the deep blue waters and the Princes' Islands.
Balkan Mountains
Crossing through Bulgaria and Serbia, observe the rugged ridges of the Balkan range.
Lake Balaton
Central Europe's largest freshwater lake appears as a turquoise jewel in the Hungarian landscape.
Austrian Alps
As you cruise over Southern Germany, the snow-capped peaks of the Alps are visible to the south.
Middle Rhine Valley
On the approach to CGN, look down for the UNESCO-listed valley filled with historic castles and vineyards.
For morning flights, the sun is positioned to the south, providing excellent front-lighting for the Alps. Sit toward the front or mid-cabin to avoid wing obstruction when looking at the Rhine Valley. In winter, the contrast of snow on the mountains is particularly striking.
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The Bosphorus
A stunning view of the strait dividing Europe and Asia and the urban sprawl of Istanbul.
Carpathian Mountains
Fly over the dense forests and high plateaus of the Romanian and Slovakian wilderness.
Budapest
The 'Pearl of the Danube' is often visible, with the Parliament building standing out near the river.
Frankfurt Skyline
Pass near the 'Mainhattan' area, seeing Germany's most impressive cluster of high-rise skyscrapers.
Cologne Cathedral
Depending on the wind direction and landing runway, you might catch a glimpse of the iconic twin spires.
Choose the right side for late afternoon flights to avoid the direct glare of the sun. The view of Istanbul right after takeoff is often better on this side if the plane turns north. Keep an eye out for the Danube River, which will weave in and out of view for much of the flight's midpoint.
Book Hotels in CologneDistance: 2,030 km (1,261 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 2 hrs 42 min
Departure: SAW (40.898601532, 29.3092002869)
Arrival: CGN (50.8658981323, 7.1427397728)
Route Type: International
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