Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Istanbul to Tokyo. Left side wins both ends of the flight. During the cruise over Central Asia and China, the left side also faces generally south, offering better views of the Tian Shan ranges and the Gobi terrain as the route arcs across the continent. Right side has little to offer at either end or in between.

During takeoff from Ataturk (IST), sit on the Left side for the best views. Ataturk departures heading east typically use runway 06, putting the left side facing north over the Bosphorus and the historic peninsula. You get a direct view of the Golden Horn, Sultanahmet, and the strait itself as the aircraft climbs and banks eastward. Notable sights include: Bosphorus Strait, Golden Horn, Sultanahmet historic peninsula (Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque visible as distinct domes), Sea of Marmara to the south.

When landing at New Tokyo International (NRT), sit on the Left side for the best views. Narita arrivals from the west typically use runway 34L/34R, approaching from the northwest over Chiba Prefecture. The left side faces southwest toward Tokyo Bay and the city skyline, giving a clear view of the bay, the reclaimed islands, and the urban sprawl of central Tokyo in the distance. Notable sights include: Tokyo Bay, reclaimed islands of Odaiba and surrounding landfill areas, Chiba urban area below, distant Tokyo skyline on the horizon.

The flight from Ataturk (IST) to New Tokyo International (NRT) takes Approximately 11 to 12 hours.

The route tracks northeast across the Black Sea, then over Georgia and the South Caucasus, crossing the Caspian Sea before traversing the vast steppes of Kazakhstan. The flight then crosses the Tian Shan mountain range in western China, passes over the Gobi Desert and Inner Mongolia, and descends over northeastern China and the Yellow Sea before reaching Japan. The Tian Shan crossing is the most visually dramatic segment, with snow-capped peaks visible from altitude on clear days.