Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Istanbul to Muscat. The right side wins overall because the Sea of Marmara and Istanbul departure views are genuinely spectacular and hard to beat. During the cruise, the right side also tracks closer to the Iranian coastline and the Persian Gulf approaches, though at 35,000 feet these are subtle. The landing view on the left is excellent but shorter in duration.

During takeoff from Ataturk (IST), sit on the Right side for the best views. IST typically departs eastward on runway 06, so the right (south) side gives you the Sea of Marmara, the Princes' Islands, and a sweeping view back over Istanbul's historic peninsula as you climb out. The left side faces industrial suburbs and the Black Sea coast. Notable sights include: Sea of Marmara with Princes' Islands, Istanbul historic peninsula and Bosphorus strait, Büyükçekmece lagoon to the west, Marmara Island in the distance.

When landing at Seeb International (MCT), sit on the Left side for the best views. MCT typically lands on runway 26 approaching from the east, so the left (south) side looks out over the Gulf of Oman coastline, the rocky Hajar Mountains descending to the sea, and the city of Muscat spread along the coast. The right side faces the barren interior desert. Notable sights include: Gulf of Oman coastline, Hajar Mountains dropping to the sea, Muscat city and Mutrah harbor, Al Bustan coastal plain.

The flight from Ataturk (IST) to Seeb International (MCT) takes Approximately 4 hours 15 minutes.

The route crosses southeastern Turkey over the Taurus Mountains, then passes over northern Syria and Iraq (or a slight deviation depending on routing), crosses into Iran near the Zagros Mountains foothills, then tracks southeast over the vast Iranian plateau and the Strait of Hormuz region before descending toward Oman. The Zagros Mountain folds are visible as dramatic parallel ridgelines from altitude. The Persian Gulf coastline may be glimpsed on the right side approaching Oman.