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SAW → RIX
Which side of the plane to sit from Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (Istanbul) to Riga International Airport (Riga)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side provides a superior view of the Bosphorus and Istanbul's historic center upon departure, followed by the majestic Carpathian Mountains and the beautiful Baltic coastline of Jurmala during the descent.
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The Bosphorus Strait
The legendary waterway separating Europe and Asia is often visible shortly after takeoff from SAW.
Prince's Islands
A cluster of nine islands in the Sea of Marmara that appear as emerald gems in the blue water.
Carpathian Mountains
Dramatic views of the Transylvanian Alps as the flight traverses Romanian and Slovakian airspace.
Warsaw Skyline
If the flight path hugs the western corridor, the skyscrapers of the Polish capital are visible.
Jurmala Coastline
On the final approach to RIX, witness the stunning white sand beaches stretching along the Gulf of Riga.
For daytime flights, sit on the left to avoid direct glare from the eastern sun. The highlight is the 15-minute window after takeoff for Istanbul views and the final 10 minutes of descent for the Baltic Sea coastline. If flying in winter, the snow-capped Carpathians provide a stunning contrast against the dark forests of Central Europe.
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Black Sea Coast
Vast stretches of the Turkish and Bulgarian coastlines are visible during the early climb phase.
Bucharest
The massive urban sprawl of the Romanian capital, including the enormous Palace of the Parliament.
Masurian Lake District
Thousands of sparkling blue lakes dotting the landscape of northeastern Poland.
Daugava River
Latvia's largest river winding its way toward the Gulf of Riga as you approach the destination.
Riga Old Town
The distinctive spires and red-tiled roofs of the historic center are visible if landing from the north.
The right side is ideal for morning flights to see the sunrise over the Black Sea. Keep your camera ready as you approach Riga; if the wind dictates a northern landing pattern, you will get a perfect panoramic view of the Riga TV Tower and the winding Daugava River. Polarized sunglasses will help reduce the glare from the Masurian lakes.
Book Hotels in RigaDistance: 1,823 km (1,133 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 2 hrs 26 min
Departure: SAW (40.898601532, 29.3092002869)
Arrival: RIX (56.92359924316406, 23.971099853515625)
Route Type: International
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