The left side offers the stronger bookend views — Manhattan and the New York shoreline at departure, plus a much more dramatic Bosphorus and Istanbul skyline approach at the end — while the right side deals mostly with open Atlantic and featureless approach terrain.
Flight Path
Southern Greenland's coastal ice sheet and fjords, the Denmark Strait, and the Norwegian Sea are visible on clear stretches of the northern Atlantic crossing before the route bends southeast toward the Baltic and Central Europe.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from JFK
LEFTDepartures from JFK toward Europe typically climb out over Long Island Sound with a left turn to the north, giving left-side passengers a brief but clear view of the Manhattan skyline and the Long Island/Connecticut shoreline before leveling off over open water. The right side mostly just sees flat Long Island suburbs and ocean haze.
Landing at IST
LEFTArrivals into Istanbul Airport commonly approach from the north over the Black Sea coast before turning south, giving left-side passengers a sweeping view of the Bosphorus strait, the historic peninsula, and the Sea of Marmara as the aircraft descends. The right side mostly faces inland toward flatter Thracian countryside with less visual interest.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from John F Kennedy International (JFK) to İstanbul Airport (IST)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from New York to Istanbul. The left side offers the stronger bookend views — Manhattan and the New York shoreline at departure, plus a much more dramatic Bosphorus and Istanbul skyline approach at the end — while the right side deals mostly with open Atlantic and featureless approach terrain.
What can I see during takeoff from John F Kennedy International in New York?
During takeoff from John F Kennedy International (JFK), sit on the Left side for the best views. Departures from JFK toward Europe typically climb out over Long Island Sound with a left turn to the north, giving left-side passengers a brief but clear view of the Manhattan skyline and the Long Island/Connecticut shoreline before leveling off over open water. The right side mostly just sees flat Long Island suburbs and ocean haze. Notable sights include: Manhattan skyline, Long Island Sound, Connecticut coastline, Throgs Neck/Whitestone bridges.
What can I see when landing at İstanbul Airport in Istanbul?
When landing at İstanbul Airport (IST), sit on the Left side for the best views. Arrivals into Istanbul Airport commonly approach from the north over the Black Sea coast before turning south, giving left-side passengers a sweeping view of the Bosphorus strait, the historic peninsula, and the Sea of Marmara as the aircraft descends. The right side mostly faces inland toward flatter Thracian countryside with less visual interest. Notable sights include: Bosphorus Strait, Istanbul's historic peninsula (Hagia Sophia/Topkapi area), Sea of Marmara, Black Sea coastline.
How long is the flight from New York to Istanbul?
The flight from John F Kennedy International (JFK) to İstanbul Airport (IST) takes 10h 05m.
What does the New York to Istanbul flight path pass over?
Southern Greenland's coastal ice sheet and fjords, the Denmark Strait, and the Norwegian Sea are visible on clear stretches of the northern Atlantic crossing before the route bends southeast toward the Baltic and Central Europe.