Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Istanbul to Tbilisi. The right side delivers the spectacular Istanbul and Bosphorus departure view, which is one of the most dramatic urban waterway scenes in aviation. The landing views on the left are good but the Caucasus are distant on approach. The Bosphorus departure tips the balance to the right for the overall flight.

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 and the Istanbul city sprawl including the historic peninsula. The Bosphorus strait and its bridges are visible on the right as you climb out heading east. Notable sights include: Sea of Marmara, Bosphorus strait with the Fatih Sultan Mehmet and Bosphorus bridges, historic Istanbul peninsula (Sultanahmet area), Prince's Islands.

When landing at Lochini (TBS), sit on the Left side for the best views. Tbilisi airport typically lands on runway 13, approaching from the northwest over the Caucasus foothills. The left (east) side gives you the best view of the Greater Caucasus range to the north and the Tbilisi city basin as you descend. The Mtkvari (Kura) river valley and the old city are visible on the left during final approach. Notable sights include: Greater Caucasus mountain range to the north, Mtkvari (Kura) river valley, Tbilisi city center and old town, Kartli plain.

The flight from Ataturk (IST) to Lochini (TBS) takes Approximately 2 hours 15 minutes.

The route crosses northeastern Turkey, passing over the Pontic Mountains (Kaçkar range foothills), the high Anatolian plateau around Erzurum at roughly 6,000 feet elevation, and the deeply dissected river valleys of the Çoruh River system before crossing into Georgia over the Lesser Caucasus foothills near Artvin.