Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Istanbul to Los Angeles. The left side delivers the most dramatic single moment of the flight: the sweeping view of Istanbul, the Bosphorus, and the Sea of Marmara on departure, which is genuinely one of the most spectacular urban water views from any airport in the world. The right side advantage on landing is real but more modest.

During takeoff from Ataturk (IST), sit on the Left side for the best views. Ataturk departures heading west or northwest on runway 06/24 or 18/36 give the left side a direct view over the Sea of Marmara, the Bosphorus strait, and central Istanbul including the historic peninsula. The right side faces inland toward suburban sprawl. Notable sights include: Bosphorus strait, Sea of Marmara, historic Istanbul peninsula (Sultanahmet/Hagia Sophia area visible as dense urban cluster), Prince's Islands.

When landing at Los Angeles International (LAX), sit on the Right side for the best views. LAX arrivals typically come in from the east or northeast over the Los Angeles Basin on runways 24L/24R heading west, placing the right side facing north with views over the Santa Monica Mountains, the LA urban grid, and the coastline. The left side faces south toward the less scenic South Bay. Notable sights include: Santa Monica Mountains, Los Angeles urban grid, Santa Monica Bay coastline, downtown LA skyline visible to the northeast.

The flight from Ataturk (IST) to Los Angeles International (LAX) takes Approximately 13 to 14 hours nonstop.

The route tracks northwest over Bulgaria and Romania, crosses the Black Sea coast, then arcs over central and western Europe including the Alps visible as a white mountain spine, crosses the North Atlantic near Greenland and Iceland where sea ice and glaciers may be visible, enters North America over eastern Canada, crosses the Rocky Mountains including the Sierra Nevada range before descending into the LA Basin