The left side wins on both ends of the flight: a richer departure view of Istanbul's Bosphorus and historic core, and a more dramatic arrival over Madinah's volcanic terrain and mountains, giving it more visual variety than the right side's plainer coastal and desert views.
Flown IST to MED? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Istanbul to Madinah is 1,316 miles (2,119 km), a flight of about 3 hours 35 minutes.
The route crosses the Anatolian plateau and the Taurus Mountains before passing near the eastern Mediterranean coast around Cyprus's latitude, then continues over the Syrian and Jordanian desert interior before entering Saudi Arabia's Nafud desert margins en route to Madinah.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from IST
LEFTDeparting IST to the south-southeast, the left side gives a good look back at the Bosphorus mouth, the historic peninsula, and the sprawl of Asian Istanbul before the aircraft climbs over the Sea of Marmara. The right side mostly shows the flatter European suburbs and open water with less definition.
Landing at MED
LEFTOn approach into Madinah from the north, the left side captures the dark volcanic lava fields (harrat) and the rugged Hejaz mountain ridges that ring the city, a stark contrast to the desert plain. The right side faces mostly featureless sand plains with little relief.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from İstanbul Airport (IST) to Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz (MED)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Istanbul to Madinah. The left side wins on both ends of the flight: a richer departure view of Istanbul's Bosphorus and historic core, and a more dramatic arrival over Madinah's volcanic terrain and mountains, giving it more visual variety than the right side's plainer coastal and desert views.
What can I see during takeoff from İstanbul Airport in Istanbul?
During takeoff from İstanbul Airport (IST), sit on the Left side for the best views. Departing IST to the south-southeast, the left side gives a good look back at the Bosphorus mouth, the historic peninsula, and the sprawl of Asian Istanbul before the aircraft climbs over the Sea of Marmara. The right side mostly shows the flatter European suburbs and open water with less definition. Notable sights include: Bosphorus strait, Istanbul's historic peninsula (Topkapı/Hagia Sophia area), Sea of Marmara, Asian-side Istanbul suburbs.
What can I see when landing at Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz in Madinah?
When landing at Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz (MED), sit on the Left side for the best views. On approach into Madinah from the north, the left side captures the dark volcanic lava fields (harrat) and the rugged Hejaz mountain ridges that ring the city, a stark contrast to the desert plain. The right side faces mostly featureless sand plains with little relief. Notable sights include: Harrat lava fields, Hejaz mountain ridges, Madinah's desert plain, the city's green agricultural belt near the Prophet's Mosque area.
How long is the flight from Istanbul to Madinah?
The flight from İstanbul Airport (IST) to Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz (MED) takes about 3 hours 35 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 1,316 miles (2,119 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Istanbul to Madinah flight path pass over?
The route crosses the Anatolian plateau and the Taurus Mountains before passing near the eastern Mediterranean coast around Cyprus's latitude, then continues over the Syrian and Jordanian desert interior before entering Saudi Arabia's Nafud desert margins en route to Madinah.