Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Istanbul to Lethem. The left side delivers the dramatic Istanbul departure over the Bosphorus and Marmara, which is the visual highlight of the trip. The landing views at Lethem are modest savanna scenery either side, so the takeoff experience tips the balance to left overall.

During takeoff from Ataturk (IST), sit on the Left side for the best views. Ataturk's primary departure runway 06 heads northeast, putting the Sea of Marmara and Istanbul's historic peninsula on the left side. You get a clear view of the Bosphorus strait and the dense urban sprawl of European Istanbul before the aircraft turns southwest. Notable sights include: Sea of Marmara, Bosphorus Strait, Istanbul historic peninsula (Sultanahmet area), Prince's Islands (Adalar) in the Marmara.

When landing at Lethem (LTM), sit on the Right side for the best views. Lethem's runway 10/28 means arrivals typically come in from the east heading west, putting the Rupununi savanna and the Ireng River valley on the right side. The Brazilian border and the Kanuku Mountains to the north are better framed on the right during the approach. Notable sights include: Rupununi savanna grasslands, Ireng River (Guyana-Brazil border), Kanuku Mountains to the north, Lethem town settlement.

The flight from Ataturk (IST) to Lethem (LTM) takes Approximately 13 to 15 hours with one stop, as no direct service exists — likely routing through Lisbon, Madrid, or Miami.

Departing Turkey the route crosses the Greek islands and Mediterranean, then the Strait of Gibraltar and the Atlantic Ocean for the bulk of the flight. Approaching South America the mouth of the Amazon River and the vast Amazon basin rainforest canopy become visible, followed by the transition to the Rupununi savanna as the aircraft descends toward Lethem near the Brazilian border.