Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Dublin to Istanbul. While the left side has a good Dublin departure, the right side wins overall for the spectacular Istanbul approach over the Sea of Marmara with the Bosphorus and historic skyline. During the cruise, the right side also picks up views of the Alps crossing into central Europe and the Aegean coastline approaching Turkey.

During takeoff from Dublin (DUB), sit on the Left side for the best views. Dublin typically departs eastward on runway 28/10, and a left-side seat gives you views back over Dublin Bay, the Liffey estuary, and the Wicklow Mountains as the aircraft climbs and turns southeast. The coastline and city grid are clearly laid out below. Notable sights include: Dublin Bay and Poolbeg chimneys, the Liffey estuary, Wicklow Mountains to the south, Howth Head peninsula.

When landing at Ataturk (IST), sit on the Right side for the best views. Istanbul Ataturk typically receives aircraft from the west on runway 06, meaning the aircraft approaches over the Sea of Marmara. A right-side seat gives you the Bosphorus strait, the historic peninsula of Sultanahmet with its distinctive skyline, and the Golden Horn inlet clearly visible during descent. Notable sights include: Bosphorus strait, Sultanahmet historic peninsula with Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque silhouettes, Golden Horn inlet, Sea of Marmara.

The flight from Dublin (DUB) to Ataturk (IST) takes Approximately 3 hours 45 minutes to 4 hours.

The route tracks southeast over Wales and southern England, then crosses the English Channel near Calais, overflies central France and the Swiss/Austrian Alps (where Mont Blanc and the main Alpine chain are visible on clear days), continues over the Adriatic Sea, crosses northern Greece and Thrace, and descends over the Sea of Marmara into Istanbul. The Alps and the Adriatic coastline are the most visually dramatic midpoint features.