Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Istanbul to Malta. While takeoff favors the right, the landing approach—which offers more dramatic and sustained scenery—strongly favors the left. The descent into Malta provides extended views of the island's striking coastline and harbor. Left-side seats capture the more visually rewarding portion of the journey.

During takeoff from Ataturk (IST), sit on the Right side for the best views. Right-side seats capture the initial climb over the Sea of Marmara and the Asian coastline of Istanbul, with the city sprawling beneath you. The southern exposure also frames the Bosphorus strait and the transition from urban Istanbul to open water. Notable sights include: Sea of Marmara, Bosphorus Strait, Asian Istanbul coastline, Prince's Islands (small archipelago in the sea).

When landing at Luqa (MLA), sit on the Left side for the best views. Left-side seats offer the best view during the approach to Malta, showing the island's distinctive rocky coastline, the Grand Harbour at Valletta, and the surrounding Mediterranean. The descent path typically brings you in from the north, making the left side ideal for viewing the island's geography. Notable sights include: Malta's northern coastline with limestone cliffs, Grand Harbour (Valletta), Comino Island to the north, Mediterranean Sea.

The flight from Ataturk (IST) to Luqa (MLA) takes Approximately 4 hours 15 minutes.

The flight path crosses the eastern Mediterranean over open water. Notable features include the Greek islands of the Dodecanese (Rhodes, Symi) visible to the left around the 2-hour mark if flying at cruise altitude, the Cretan Sea, and the transition from deeper blue Mediterranean waters to shallower coastal waters as you approach Malta. The southern coast of Greece and the Peloponnese may be visible during initial climb on the right side.