Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Istanbul to Alma-ata. The right side captures the Sea of Marmara and Istanbul's coastal geography during departure, while the left side dominates during descent with the Trans-Ili Alatau. However, the Tian Shan mountains are the most visually striking and sustained feature of the entire flight path, making left-side seats valuable for the majority of the journey. Right wins marginally for the dramatic Istanbul departure, but left offers the more impressive final hours.

During takeoff from Ataturk (IST), sit on the Right side for the best views. Right-side seats offer views of the Sea of Marmara and the Asian coastline of Istanbul during the initial climb-out heading east. The Sea of Marmara's distinctive shape and the contrast between urban Istanbul and surrounding water bodies are clearly visible from 5,000–15,000 feet. Notable sights include: Sea of Marmara, Bosphorus Strait (northern section), Asian shore of Istanbul, Prince Islands archipelago.

When landing at Almaty (ALA), sit on the Left side for the best views. Left-side seats provide views of the Tian Shan mountain range during descent into Almaty. The snow-capped peaks of the Trans-Ili Alatau are dramatic and clearly visible from 20,000 feet down to final approach, dominating the southern landscape. Notable sights include: Trans-Ili Alatau (Tian Shan range), Almaty city sprawl, Lake Balkhash (distant, northern horizon), Ili River valley.

The flight from Ataturk (IST) to Almaty (ALA) takes 4h 50m.

Anatolia's interior plateau and volcanic landscape (including Mount Erciyes near Kayseri), the Caspian Sea's eastern shore (visible from cruise altitude), the Ustyurt Plateau, and the transition from steppe to the Saryesik-Atyrau Desert in western Kazakhstan. The flight path crosses the Caucasus region at altitude, then traverses the Caspian Depression before reaching the Kazakh steppe and final approach to the Tian Shan foothills.