The right side wins on both ends of the flight — volcanic peaks near Jakarta on departure and the Bosphorus/historic Istanbul skyline on arrival — plus it faces the mountainous Zagros and Anatolian terrain during the cruise, while the left side spends much of the flight over featureless sea or desert plains.
Flight Path
Route crosses the Andaman Sea, the Bay of Bengal, the Indian subcontinent near its southern tip, the Arabian Sea, the Persian Gulf region, and the Zagros Mountains of Iran before crossing into the Anatolian plateau of Turkey.
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from CGK
RIGHTAs the aircraft climbs out of Jakarta and banks toward the northwest, the right side faces south toward the volcanic peaks of Gunung Salak, Gede, and Pangrango rising above the Jakarta basin. The left side mostly shows the flat Java Sea and hazy coastal plain, which is less dramatic.
Landing at IST
RIGHTOn the approach into Istanbul from the south over the Sea of Marmara, the right side offers views of the Bosphorus strait, the Golden Horn, and the historic peninsula with its skyline of mosques. The left side mostly faces open water or the flatter Thracian countryside.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Soekarno Hatta International (CGK) to İstanbul Airport (IST)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Jakarta to Istanbul. The right side wins on both ends of the flight — volcanic peaks near Jakarta on departure and the Bosphorus/historic Istanbul skyline on arrival — plus it faces the mountainous Zagros and Anatolian terrain during the cruise, while the left side spends much of the flight over featureless sea or desert plains.
What can I see during takeoff from Soekarno Hatta International in Jakarta?
During takeoff from Soekarno Hatta International (CGK), sit on the Right side for the best views. As the aircraft climbs out of Jakarta and banks toward the northwest, the right side faces south toward the volcanic peaks of Gunung Salak, Gede, and Pangrango rising above the Jakarta basin. The left side mostly shows the flat Java Sea and hazy coastal plain, which is less dramatic. Notable sights include: Mount Salak, Mount Gede-Pangrango complex, Jakarta's southern suburbs, Java Sea coastline in the distance.
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 the approach into Istanbul from the south over the Sea of Marmara, the right side offers views of the Bosphorus strait, the Golden Horn, and the historic peninsula with its skyline of mosques. The left side mostly faces open water or the flatter Thracian countryside. Notable sights include: Bosphorus strait, Golden Horn, historic peninsula (Hagia Sophia/Topkapi area), Sea of Marmara coastline.
How long is the flight from Jakarta to Istanbul?
The flight from Soekarno Hatta International (CGK) to İstanbul Airport (IST) takes 10h 45m.
What does the Jakarta to Istanbul flight path pass over?
Route crosses the Andaman Sea, the Bay of Bengal, the Indian subcontinent near its southern tip, the Arabian Sea, the Persian Gulf region, and the Zagros Mountains of Iran before crossing into the Anatolian plateau of Turkey.