About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Ataturk (IST) to The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International (ATL)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Istanbul to Atlanta. The left side delivers the most dramatic single moment of the flight — the sweeping view of Istanbul, the Bosphorus, and the Golden Horn on departure, which is genuinely one of the most spectacular urban aerial views in the world. The landing view of Atlanta from the right is good but not exceptional. Over the Atlantic, neither side has a meaningful advantage, so the Istanbul departure tips the balance decisively to the left.
What can I see during takeoff from Ataturk in Istanbul?
During takeoff from Ataturk (IST), sit on the Left side for the best views. Departing westbound from IST's runway 06/24 complex, the left side gives you a direct view over the Bosphorus Strait, the Golden Horn, and the historic peninsula of old Istanbul with its dense skyline. The right side faces south toward the Sea of Marmara but misses the city core. Notable sights include: Bosphorus Strait, Golden Horn inlet, historic Sultanahmet peninsula, Sea of Marmara.
What can I see when landing at The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International in Atlanta?
When landing at The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International (ATL), sit on the Right side for the best views. Atlanta's primary arrival flows from the northeast on runways 08L/08R/09L/09R, meaning the aircraft approaches from the northeast heading southwest. The right side faces northwest, giving views over downtown Atlanta's skyline and Midtown before touchdown. The left side looks south toward less distinctive suburban sprawl. Notable sights include: Downtown Atlanta skyline, Midtown Atlanta towers, Stone Mountain (distant to the east), Hartsfield-Jackson airport complex.
How long is the flight from Istanbul to Atlanta?
The flight from Ataturk (IST) to The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International (ATL) takes Approximately 11 to 12 hours.
What does the Istanbul to Atlanta flight path pass over?
The route tracks northwest over Bulgaria and Romania, crosses the Black Sea coast briefly, then heads over central Europe passing near Budapest and Vienna, crosses the UK or northern France, then makes the transatlantic crossing over the North Atlantic. Greenland's southern ice sheet and coastline may be visible depending on the exact routing. The route then descends over Atlantic Canada, the northeastern US seaboard, and the Appalachian Mountains of the Carolinas before reaching Georgia.