Loading map...
WAW → IST
Which side of the plane to sit from Warsaw Chopin Airport (Warsaw) to Istanbul Airport (Istanbul)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers a superior view of the Black Sea coastline and is more likely to provide a panoramic view of the Bosphorus and the Asian side of Istanbul during the final approach descent.
Search flights from WAW to IST
Warsaw Cityscape
Aerial views of the Vistula River and the National Stadium shortly after takeoff from Chopin Airport.
Eastern Carpathians
The rolling green ridges of the Bieszczady Mountains along the Polish-Ukrainian border.
Danube River
The expansive silver ribbon of the Danube as it marks the border between Romania and Bulgaria.
Black Sea Coast
A stunning transition from the Balkan terrain to the deep blue waters of the Black Sea near Varna.
Bosphorus Strait
On typical northern approaches to IST, you can see the bridges connecting Europe and Asia.
Choose this side for morning flights to keep the sun behind you. The most dramatic views occur in the final 20 minutes of flight as the plane tracks along the Black Sea coast. Keep your camera ready as you cross the Bulgarian-Turkish border for the best coastal photography.
Get eSIMs for Poland
Get eSIMs for Turkey
High Tatras
The jagged, alpine peaks of the Tatra Mountains on the border of Poland and Slovakia.
Transylvanian Alps
The rugged Southern Carpathian range in Romania, famous for its dramatic limestone cliffs.
Bucharest
The massive Palace of Parliament is often visible from cruising altitude when passing over Romania.
Balkan Mountains
The central mountain chain of Bulgaria, stretching across the horizon toward the west.
Istanbul Airport Infrastructure
A massive aerial view of the huge terminal and runway complex during the final descent and taxi.
This side is ideal for mountain enthusiasts, offering the best views of the High Tatras about 25 minutes after departure. On evening flights, this side catches the sunset over the Balkan peninsula, though glare can be an issue. In winter, the snow-covered Carpathians are a major highlight on this side.
Book Hotels in IstanbulDistance: 1,347 km (837 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 48 min
Departure: WAW (52.1656990051, 20.9671001434)
Arrival: IST (41.275278, 28.751944)
Route Type: International
Thank you for booking your travels through our travel partners. The commissions from your bookings keep this site running.