About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Guarulhos (GRU) to Ataturk (IST)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Sao Paulo to Istanbul. The right side captures the Atlantic Ocean during the long oceanic crossing, the West African coastline near Dakar, the Sahara Desert's vast sand seas over Mali and Algeria, the Mediterranean coast, and the spectacular Istanbul approach over the Bosphorus and Marmara. The left side has a good São Paulo departure view but loses out over the ocean and desert stretches.
What can I see during takeoff from Guarulhos in Sao Paulo?
During takeoff from Guarulhos (GRU), sit on the Left side for the best views. GRU typically departs on runway 09R/27L or 10/28. Northeastbound departures toward Europe swing the aircraft left, putting the Serra da Mantiqueira mountain range on the left side. You also get a clear view back over the sprawling São Paulo metro grid as the aircraft climbs out. Notable sights include: Serra da Mantiqueira range to the northwest, São Paulo city grid and Pinheiros river valley, Guarulhos urban sprawl below, Cantareira reservoir system to the north.
What can I see when landing at Ataturk in Istanbul?
When landing at Ataturk (IST), sit on the Right side for the best views. Atatürk Airport (IST) is now closed to commercial traffic — flights use Istanbul Airport (IST reassigned, actually coded IST for the new airport). Arrivals from the southwest typically use runway 35L/R, approaching from over the Sea of Marmara. The right side gives you the Bosphorus strait, the Golden Horn, and the historic peninsula of Sultanahmet with the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia clearly visible as you descend. Notable sights include: Bosphorus strait, Sea of Marmara, Sultanahmet historic peninsula (Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia), Golden Horn inlet.
How long is the flight from Sao Paulo to Istanbul?
The flight from Guarulhos (GRU) to Ataturk (IST) takes Approximately 14 to 15 hours.
What does the Sao Paulo to Istanbul flight path pass over?
The route crosses the South Atlantic, making landfall near Dakar or the Cabo Verde islands area on the West African coast. It then tracks northeast over the Sahara — the Ahaggar massif in southern Algeria and the Fezzan desert of Libya are visible below. The route crosses the Mediterranean near Tunisia or Sicily, then passes over the Aegean or Balkan coast before descending into Istanbul.