Istanbul to Palermo is 857 miles (1,379 km), a flight of about 2 hours 40 minutes.
The left side offers a more continuous scenic narrative: a coastal departure over the Sea of Marmara, glimpses of the Aegean islands and Peloponnese coastline during cruise, and a dramatic mountainous coastal approach into Palermo, while the right side spends more time over featureless stretches of the Ionian Sea and northern Greek mainland haze.
Flight Path
Aegean Sea with scattered Greek islands, the southern Peloponnese coastline, and the open Ionian Sea before the Sicilian coast comes into view
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from IST
LEFTClimbing out of Istanbul Airport toward the southwest, the left side looks back over the Sea of Marmara with the Princes' Islands and the European shoreline of Istanbul receding below, giving a brief but distinct urban-coastal view before the aircraft turns west over open water.
Landing at PMO
LEFTOn the approach into Palermo, arrivals typically land on runway 25, coming in low over the Tyrrhenian Sea before curving toward the coast, and the left side offers the clearest views of the rugged Sicilian coastline and the Monti Madonie foothills rising just south of the airport.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from İstanbul Airport (IST) to Falcone–Borsellino Airport (PMO)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Istanbul to Palermo. The left side offers a more continuous scenic narrative: a coastal departure over the Sea of Marmara, glimpses of the Aegean islands and Peloponnese coastline during cruise, and a dramatic mountainous coastal approach into Palermo, while the right side spends more time over featureless stretches of the Ionian Sea and northern Greek mainland haze.
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. Climbing out of Istanbul Airport toward the southwest, the left side looks back over the Sea of Marmara with the Princes' Islands and the European shoreline of Istanbul receding below, giving a brief but distinct urban-coastal view before the aircraft turns west over open water. Notable sights include: Sea of Marmara, Princes' Islands (Büyükada), European Istanbul coastline, Bosphorus mouth.
What can I see when landing at Falcone–Borsellino Airport in Palermo?
When landing at Falcone–Borsellino Airport (PMO), sit on the Left side for the best views. On the approach into Palermo, arrivals typically land on runway 25, coming in low over the Tyrrhenian Sea before curving toward the coast, and the left side offers the clearest views of the rugged Sicilian coastline and the Monti Madonie foothills rising just south of the airport. Notable sights include: Tyrrhenian Sea coastline, Monte Pellegrino, Golfo di Palermo, Madonie mountain foothills.
How long is the flight from Istanbul to Palermo?
The flight from İstanbul Airport (IST) to Falcone–Borsellino Airport (PMO) takes about 2 hours 40 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 857 miles (1,379 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Istanbul to Palermo flight path pass over?
Aegean Sea with scattered Greek islands, the southern Peloponnese coastline, and the open Ionian Sea before the Sicilian coast comes into view