Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Istanbul to Venice. Left side wins at both ends of the flight. During the cruise over the Balkans and northern Greece, the left side also offers better views of the Dinaric Alps and Adriatic coastline as the route tracks northwest. Right side is mostly open Adriatic and Ionian Sea during cruise.

During takeoff from Ataturk (IST), sit on the Left side for the best views. Istanbul Ataturk primarily uses runways 06/24 and 18/36. On a westbound departure toward Venice, aircraft typically take off on runway 06 heading northeast then turn west, or depart runway 24 heading southwest. Either way, the left side captures the Bosphorus Strait, the historic peninsula of Sultanahmet with its dense Ottoman skyline, and the Sea of Marmara stretching south. The right side faces inland toward suburban sprawl. Notable sights include: Bosphorus Strait, Sea of Marmara, Sultanahmet historic peninsula, Prince's Islands (Adalar) in the Marmara.

When landing at Venezia Tessera (VCE), sit on the Left side for the best views. Venice Tessera sits on the edge of the Venetian Lagoon, and aircraft typically approach from the east or southeast on runway 04R/22L. On approach from the southeast heading northwest, the left side looks directly over the Venetian Lagoon, with Venice's island city clearly visible as a dense cluster surrounded by shallow lagoon water, connected to the mainland by the causeway. The right side faces the Adriatic and flat Po Plain farmland. Notable sights include: Venice island city and lagoon, Venetian Lagoon causeway (Ponte della Libertà), Po Plain agricultural patchwork, Adriatic Sea coastline.

The flight from Ataturk (IST) to Venezia Tessera (VCE) takes Approximately 2 hours 15 minutes.

The route tracks northwest over Thrace and Bulgaria, then across North Macedonia and Albania or southern Serbia, crossing the Dinaric Alps along the Adriatic coast of the former Yugoslavia before descending over the northern Adriatic toward the Po Plain and Venice. The Dinaric Alps are the most visually dramatic midpoint feature, with rugged karst ridges visible from cruising altitude. The Adriatic Sea crossing is brief near the northern end of the route.