Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Ankara to Istanbul. While takeoff favors the left, the landing view from the right is significantly more dramatic—the Sea of Marmara and Bosphorus approach are iconic and consistently visible, whereas the takeoff plateau view is less distinctive. Right-side seats capture the most memorable segment of this route.

During takeoff from Esenboga (ESB), sit on the Left side for the best views. ESB typically departs runway 09 (westbound). Left-side seats face north during initial climb, offering views of the Ankara metropolitan area and the transition from the Anatolian plateau toward the Pontic Mountains. Right seats see only inland plateau. Notable sights include: Ankara city sprawl (immediate south), Ankara Keçiören district (southeast), Pontic Mountains foothills (north, distant), Çubuk Reservoir (northeast, visible on clear days).

When landing at Ataturk (IST), sit on the Right side for the best views. IST (Atatürk) typically uses runway 27 for westbound arrivals. Right-side seats on descent face north, providing views of the Marmara Sea, the European shore of the Bosphorus, and the approach over water. Left seats see only Asian landmass. Notable sights include: Sea of Marmara (dominant water body), Bosphorus Strait entrance (north), European Istanbul shoreline with Fatih district (north), Asian Istanbul and Kadıköy district (left/east, visible but secondary).

The flight from Esenboga (ESB) to Ataturk (IST) takes Approximately 1 hour 15 minutes.

The flight path crosses the Anatolian plateau from southeast to northwest, passing over the Pontic Mountains' foothills (visible as a low ridge around 30 minutes into flight), then descends toward the Marmara region. The transition from inland plateau to coastal geography is gradual; the Sea of Marmara becomes visible approximately 20 minutes before landing. No major cities lie directly on the flight path, but Bursa (south of the route) may be visible on clear days as a distant urban cluster.