The right side wins on both ends of the flight — dramatic mountain scenery during the Billings departure and a rare Bosphorus/Istanbul skyline view on arrival — while the left side offers comparatively flat, featureless terrain and open water during cruise.
Flown BIL to IST? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Billings to Istanbul is 5,869 miles (9,445 km), a flight of about 10 hours 45 minutes.
The route crosses the Canadian prairies and boreal forest, the southern tip of Hudson Bay, the Greenland ice sheet's southern edge, and the North Atlantic near Iceland before continuing over Scandinavia and the Baltic Sea toward Eastern Europe and the Black Sea approach to Istanbul.
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from BIL
RIGHTDeparting Billings, the right side offers views of the Rimrock cliffs framing the city and, further south, the snow-capped Beartooth and Absaroka Ranges near Yellowstone. The left side mostly shows flat plains and the Musselshell River valley with little relief.
Landing at IST
RIGHTOn approach to Istanbul Airport from the north, the aircraft typically descends over the Black Sea before banking to align with the north-south runways, giving right-side passengers a sweeping view of the Bosphorus Strait, the Sea of Marmara, and the dense Istanbul skyline. The left side mostly faces open water or featureless countryside during this turn.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Billings Logan International Airport (BIL) to İstanbul Airport (IST)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Billings to Istanbul. The right side wins on both ends of the flight — dramatic mountain scenery during the Billings departure and a rare Bosphorus/Istanbul skyline view on arrival — while the left side offers comparatively flat, featureless terrain and open water during cruise.
What can I see during takeoff from Billings Logan International Airport in Billings?
During takeoff from Billings Logan International Airport (BIL), sit on the Right side for the best views. Departing Billings, the right side offers views of the Rimrock cliffs framing the city and, further south, the snow-capped Beartooth and Absaroka Ranges near Yellowstone. The left side mostly shows flat plains and the Musselshell River valley with little relief. Notable sights include: Rimrock cliffs, Yellowstone River valley, Beartooth Mountains, Absaroka Range.
What can I see when landing at İstanbul Airport in Istanbul?
When landing at İstanbul Airport (IST), sit on the Right side for the best views. On approach to Istanbul Airport from the north, the aircraft typically descends over the Black Sea before banking to align with the north-south runways, giving right-side passengers a sweeping view of the Bosphorus Strait, the Sea of Marmara, and the dense Istanbul skyline. The left side mostly faces open water or featureless countryside during this turn. Notable sights include: Bosphorus Strait, Sea of Marmara, Istanbul skyline, Black Sea coastline.
How long is the flight from Billings to Istanbul?
The flight from Billings Logan International Airport (BIL) to İstanbul Airport (IST) takes about 10 hours 45 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 5,869 miles (9,445 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Billings to Istanbul flight path pass over?
The route crosses the Canadian prairies and boreal forest, the southern tip of Hudson Bay, the Greenland ice sheet's southern edge, and the North Atlantic near Iceland before continuing over Scandinavia and the Baltic Sea toward Eastern Europe and the Black Sea approach to Istanbul.