Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Antalya to Istanbul. The right side misses the best of the Antalya departure but delivers the most dramatic payoff on arrival — the Istanbul skyline, Bosphorus, and Golden Horn on descent are among the most recognizable urban aerial views in the world. During the cruise portion, the right side also faces northwest toward Lake Eğirdir and the lake district of inland Turkey.

During takeoff from Antalya (AYT), sit on the Left side for the best views. Antalya airport's primary departure runway 36R sends aircraft northward, and the left side faces west over the city of Antalya and the Gulf of Antalya (Antalya Körfezi). You get a sweeping view of the turquoise Mediterranean coastline curving toward the Taurus Mountains backdrop. The right side faces inland toward the Taurus range but misses the coastal panorama. Notable sights include: Gulf of Antalya (Antalya Körfezi), Antalya old city harbor (Kaleiçi), western Taurus Mountains (Beydağları range), Mediterranean coastline stretching toward Kemer.

When landing at Ataturk (IST), sit on the Right side for the best views. Istanbul Atatürk airport's primary arrival from the south typically uses runway 06, meaning aircraft approach from the southwest over the Sea of Marmara. The right side faces north and gives you the Istanbul skyline, the Bosphorus strait, and the Golden Horn as you descend. The left side looks back over the open Marmara. Notable sights include: Bosphorus strait, Golden Horn inlet, Istanbul historic peninsula (Sultanahmet skyline with Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia silhouettes), Sea of Marmara.

The flight from Antalya (AYT) to Ataturk (IST) takes Approximately 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 20 minutes.

The flight tracks northwest over the Anatolian plateau, crossing the western Taurus Mountains shortly after departure, then over the lake district including Lake Eğirdir and Lake Beyşehir. The route continues over the rolling hills of Afyonkarahisar province before descending toward the Sea of Marmara and Istanbul. The terrain is largely semi-arid plateau at 3,000-5,000 ft elevation with scattered agricultural land and no major urban centers until Istanbul.