Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Istanbul to Hong Kong. The left side wins overall because the Istanbul departure view of the Bosphorus and historic city is one of the most spectacular urban departures in the world. During the cruise, the left side also faces south over the Caspian Sea, the Himalayas' western approaches, and the Tibetan Plateau edge. The right side landing view at Hong Kong is excellent but shorter in duration, giving the left side the edge across the full flight.

During takeoff from Ataturk (IST), sit on the Left side for the best views. IST departures heading east typically use runway 06, putting the left side facing north toward the Bosphorus Strait and the historic Istanbul peninsula. You get a clear view of the Golden Horn, the old city skyline with Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, and the Sea of Marmara to the south as the aircraft banks right after departure. Notable sights include: Bosphorus Strait, Golden Horn inlet, Sea of Marmara, Istanbul historic peninsula with Hagia Sophia and Topkapi Palace.

When landing at Hong Kong International (HKG), sit on the Right side for the best views. HKIA sits on Lantau Island and aircraft typically approach from the east or northeast on runway 07L/07R, meaning the right side faces south toward the Pearl River Delta, Macau, and the open South China Sea. The left side gets the mountainous interior of Lantau and the New Territories, but the right side delivers the dramatic view of Hong Kong's Victoria Harbour, Kowloon, and the skyscraper-dense Hong Kong Island as you descend. Notable sights include: Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong Island skyline (Central and Wan Chai), Kowloon Peninsula, Lantau Island and its peaks.

The flight from Ataturk (IST) to Hong Kong International (HKG) takes Approximately 9 to 10 hours.

The route crosses the Black Sea, then tracks over the Caspian Sea (visible from both sides), continues over the vast Central Asian steppe of Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, crosses the Hindu Kush and Karakoram ranges of northern Pakistan and Afghanistan, passes south of the Tibetan Plateau and the Kunlun Shan, then descends over southern China through Yunnan and Guangdong provinces before reaching the Pearl River Delta and Hong Kong.