Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Athens to Istanbul. While the left side wins at takeoff with the Athens city view, the right side delivers consistently throughout the flight: the Aegean island chains of the northern Cyclades and Sporades are visible on the right during cruise, and the dramatic arrival over the Sea of Marmara into Istanbul is one of the most iconic urban approaches in Europe. Right side edges it overall.

During takeoff from Athinai (HEW), sit on the Left side for the best views. Athens airport (LGAV) typically departs on runway 03L/03R heading northeast, which puts the left side facing northwest toward Athens city center, the Acropolis, and the Saronic Gulf. You get a sweeping view of the urban basin and surrounding mountains as the aircraft climbs out over the coast. Notable sights include: Acropolis Hill and Parthenon, Saronic Gulf coastline, Mount Hymettus (Imittos) ridge, Athens urban basin.

When landing at Ataturk (IST), sit on the Right side for the best views. Istanbul Ataturk (LTBA) predominantly uses runway 06 for arrivals from the southwest, meaning the aircraft approaches from over the Sea of Marmara heading northeast. The right side faces southeast, giving views of the Marmara coastline, the Bosphorus strait, and the historic peninsula of old Istanbul with its distinctive skyline of minarets and domes. Notable sights include: Sea of Marmara, Bosphorus strait entrance, Historic Peninsula (Sultanahmet/Hagia Sophia skyline), Prince's Islands (Adalar).

The flight from Athinai (HEW) to Ataturk (IST) takes Approximately 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 25 minutes.

The flight tracks northeast over the northern Aegean Sea, passing over or near the island of Lemnos (Limnos), with the Thracian coastline of northern Greece and southern Bulgaria visible to the left. The Dardanelles strait and the Gallipoli Peninsula may be visible on the right side during descent. The Sea of Marmara dominates the final approach phase.