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SAW → OTP
Which side of the plane to sit from Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (Istanbul) to Henri Coandă International Airport (Bucharest)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side provides a superior vantage point for the departure from Istanbul, capturing the Bosphorus and the transition from Asia to Europe, followed by the rolling hills of Bulgaria.
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Bosphorus Strait
The geographical boundary between Europe and Asia visible shortly after takeoff from SAW.
Historic Peninsula
View the distant silhouettes of the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia if the flight path tracks west.
Balkan Mountains
The rugged peaks of the Stara Planina range visible as you traverse Bulgarian airspace.
West Bucharest
Sprawling residential districts and the Palace of the Parliament visible during final descent.
Choose a window seat forward of the wing to avoid engine heat haze. Afternoon flights provide excellent lighting for the Istanbul skyline. Keep your camera ready in the first 10 minutes of flight for the best city views.
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Black Sea Coast
Continuous views of the deep blue Black Sea stretching towards the northern horizon.
Belgrad Forest
The dense green canopy of Istanbul's northernmost forest areas near the shoreline.
Varna Gulf
The industrial and natural beauty of Bulgaria's largest port city and maritime hub.
Danube River
The massive waterway marking the international border between Bulgaria and Romania.
Sit on this side for sunrise views on early morning flights. Look for the massive bridges over the Danube as the plane begins its descent into OTP. The coastline is particularly clear during the summer months.
Book Hotels in BucharestDistance: 486 km (302 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 49 min
Departure: SAW (40.898601532, 29.3092002869)
Arrival: OTP (44.5711111, 26.085)
Route Type: International
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