Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Istanbul to Zagreb. The left side captures the spectacular Bosphorus and Sea of Marmara on departure, which is the single most visually dramatic moment of this flight. The landing view on the right is good but more subdued — Medvednica is modest in scale. Left wins overall for the Istanbul departure alone.

During takeoff from Ataturk (IST), sit on the Left side for the best views. Istanbul Ataturk primarily uses runways 06/24 and 18/36. Departing westbound on runway 06 or northbound, a left-side seat gives views over the Sea of Marmara, the Istanbul city skyline with the Bosphorus strait, and the historic peninsula. The right side faces inland toward suburban sprawl. Notable sights include: Bosphorus strait, Sea of Marmara, Istanbul historic peninsula (Sultanahmet area visible as dense urban core), Prince's Islands (Adalar) in Marmara.

When landing at Zagreb (ZAG), sit on the Right side for the best views. Zagreb Airport runway 05/23 means most arrivals come from the southeast on runway 23 heading northwest. A right-side seat on approach gives views over the Sava River valley, Zagreb city center, and the Medvednica mountain ridge rising north of the city. Left side faces flat agricultural plains to the south. Notable sights include: Medvednica mountain ridge (Sljeme peak at 1,033m), Sava River valley, Zagreb city center grid, flat Pannonian Plain to the south.

The flight from Ataturk (IST) to Zagreb (ZAG) takes Approximately 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours.

The route crosses northwestern Turkey over Thrace (flat agricultural land), then crosses the Bulgarian border over low rolling hills, traverses central Bulgaria including the Balkan Mountains (Stara Planina range) visible as a distinct east-west ridge, crosses into Serbia over the Danube plain, and enters Croatia over the flat Slavonian lowlands before descending into Zagreb.