Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Istanbul to Toronto. Left side wins both ends of the flight. The Istanbul departure gives you the Bosphorus and Sea of Marmara, and the Toronto approach gives you Lake Ontario and the CN Tower skyline. Over the Atlantic and eastern Canada the views are largely ocean and boreal forest regardless of side, so the departure and arrival views are the deciding factor.

During takeoff from Ataturk (IST), sit on the Left side for the best views. Ataturk typically departs westbound on runway 06/24 or 18/36. A westbound departure on 06 puts the left side facing south over the Marmara Sea and the historic Istanbul peninsula. You get a clear view of the old city, Bosphorus strait, and the Sea of Marmara spreading out below. Notable sights include: Sea of Marmara, Bosphorus Strait, historic Istanbul peninsula (Sultanahmet/Hagia Sophia district), Prince's Islands.

When landing at Lester B Pearson International (YYZ), sit on the Left side for the best views. Pearson typically lands eastbound on runway 23/05 or 06L/24R. On approach from the west or southwest, the left side faces south over Lake Ontario, giving a clear view of the Toronto downtown skyline and the CN Tower as you descend. The right side sees suburban sprawl with little of interest. Notable sights include: Lake Ontario, Toronto downtown skyline, CN Tower, Toronto Islands.

The flight from Ataturk (IST) to Lester B Pearson International (YYZ) takes Approximately 11 to 12 hours.

The route tracks northwest over the Black Sea coast of Romania and Bulgaria, then across central Europe over Germany or the Netherlands, then out over the North Atlantic near Scotland or Ireland. Mid-flight passes over Greenland's southern ice sheet and Labrador, then descends over the boreal forest of Ontario. The Greenland ice cap and coastline are the most visually dramatic midpoint feature if overflown in daylight, appearing as a vast white plateau with dark rocky fjord edges.