Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Cairo to Istanbul. Right side wins both ends of the flight. During the cruise phase, the right side also tracks closer to the Turkish coastline along the Aegean and the Sea of Marmara as you descend, adding coastal scenery to the already superior departure and arrival views.

During takeoff from Cairo International (CAI), sit on the Right side for the best views. Cairo's runways typically orient northeast-southwest. Departing northeast toward Istanbul, the right side gives you a clear view of the Nile Delta fanning out toward the Mediterranean, with the dense green agricultural ribbon of the Nile Valley visible against the surrounding desert. The pyramids at Giza are also briefly visible to the southwest on the right side during the initial climb. Notable sights include: Nile Delta spreading to the Mediterranean, Giza Pyramid complex, Nile Valley agricultural corridor, Cairo urban sprawl.

When landing at Ataturk (IST), sit on the Right side for the best views. Ataturk Airport sits on the European side of Istanbul, and approaches typically come in from the east or northeast over the Bosphorus and Sea of Marmara. The right side on approach gives you the Bosphorus Strait, the historic peninsula of Sultanahmet with the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, and the Golden Horn inlet. This is one of the most visually dramatic urban approaches in the world. Notable sights include: Bosphorus Strait, Sultanahmet historic peninsula with Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia domes, Golden Horn inlet, Sea of Marmara.

The flight from Cairo International (CAI) to Ataturk (IST) takes Approximately 2 hours 45 minutes to 3 hours.

The flight crosses the eastern Mediterranean over Cyprus or just west of it, then tracks over southern Turkey through the Taurus Mountains, before descending over the Anatolian plateau toward Istanbul. The Taurus range is visible as a significant snow-capped mountain chain in winter and spring. The Mediterranean is crossed at relatively high altitude making it appear as a deep blue expanse. The transition from the barren Anatolian plateau to the greener Marmara region is noticeable on descent.