About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Chhatrapati Shivaji International (BOM) to Ataturk (IST)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Bombay to Istanbul. The left side wins overall. While the right side has the better Mumbai departure view, the left side tracks the Iranian plateau, the Zagros Mountains, eastern Turkey's volcanic peaks including Mount Ararat, and then delivers the spectacular Istanbul arrival over the Marmara. The Zagros and Ararat views alone make the left side the stronger choice for the bulk of the flight.
What can I see during takeoff from Chhatrapati Shivaji International in Bombay?
During takeoff from Chhatrapati Shivaji International (BOM), sit on the Right side for the best views. Mumbai's runways 27 and 32 are most commonly used for departures heading northwest. A right-side seat gives you the Arabian Sea coastline, the Mumbai harbor, and the city's distinctive peninsula shape as you climb out over the water. The dense urban grid of South Mumbai and the Bandra-Worli Sea Link are clearly visible before the aircraft turns northwest. Notable sights include: Bandra-Worli Sea Link, Mumbai Harbor and Elephanta Island, South Mumbai peninsula, Dharavi and the Thane Creek wetlands.
What can I see when landing at Ataturk in Istanbul?
When landing at Ataturk (IST), sit on the Left side for the best views. Ataturk Airport's primary arrival runway 06 brings aircraft in from the west over the Sea of Marmara. A left-side seat faces south toward the Marmara, giving clear views of the Istanbul peninsula, the Bosphorus strait, and the historic skyline including the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia silhouetted against the water. The European and Asian sides of Istanbul are both visible across the strait. Notable sights include: Sea of Marmara, Istanbul historic peninsula with Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque skyline, Bosphorus strait, Princes Islands in the Marmara.
How long is the flight from Bombay to Istanbul?
The flight from Chhatrapati Shivaji International (BOM) to Ataturk (IST) takes Approximately 6 hours 30 minutes to 7 hours.
What does the Bombay to Istanbul flight path pass over?
The route crosses the Gulf of Oman coastline, then the Iranian plateau and the Zagros Mountain ranges with their dramatic folded ridgelines visible from cruising altitude. Mount Ararat (5,137m) in eastern Turkey is a highly distinctive isolated volcanic cone visible from great distances on the left side. The route then crosses central Anatolia's high plateau before descending toward the Bosphorus and Istanbul.