Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Kilimanjaro to Istanbul. The left side delivers the defining moment of the flight: an unobstructed close view of Kilimanjaro on departure, which is one of the most spectacular takeoff views in the world. The landing views from the right are excellent but more urban in character. Left wins overall for the Kilimanjaro experience alone.

During takeoff from Kilimanjaro International (JRO), sit on the Left side for the best views. JRO's primary runway 27 means aircraft depart heading west, placing Kilimanjaro directly on the left (south) side during initial climb. The mountain's massive glaciated summit and Kibo crater are unmistakably visible as you gain altitude over the savanna plains. Notable sights include: Mount Kilimanjaro (Kibo summit and Mawenzi peak), Amboseli basin to the southwest, Mount Meru to the west-northwest, Kilimanjaro foothills and coffee plantation zones.

When landing at Ataturk (IST), sit on the Right side for the best views. Istanbul Ataturk's primary landing approach on runway 06 brings aircraft in from the west over the Sea of Marmara, placing the Bosphorus, the Golden Horn, and the historic peninsula on the right (south) side. The skyline of old Istanbul with its mosques and the strait are clearly visible on final approach. Notable sights include: Bosphorus Strait, Sea of Marmara, Historic Peninsula of Istanbul (Sultanahmet), Prince's Islands in the Marmara.

The flight from Kilimanjaro International (JRO) to Ataturk (IST) takes Approximately 7 to 8 hours.

The route tracks north over Kenya and Ethiopia, crossing the Ethiopian Highlands and the Rift Valley escarpments, then over the Red Sea near Djibouti or Eritrea, across the Arabian Peninsula or Sinai depending on routing, over the Eastern Mediterranean, and finally across Greece or Bulgaria before descending into Istanbul. The Nile Delta may be visible on the left side if routing goes over Egypt.