While the right side wins both bookend views, the left side holds the north-facing window for most of the long cruise segment, where the great-circle route passes south of Greenland and near Iceland — offering extended views of Greenland's ice sheet and Iceland's volcanic terrain, which are rare and dramatic enough to outweigh the empty ocean and flat Canadian terrain seen from the right during cruise.
Flown LAX to IST? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Los Angeles to Istanbul is 6,836 miles (11,002 km), a flight of about 12 hours 35 minutes.
The route's midpoint falls over the northern Labrador Sea approaching southern Greenland, with the great-circle path tracking near Hudson Bay, the southern Greenland ice sheet, and Iceland before continuing over the North Sea into continental Europe.
Great circle distance and headings ›.jpg?width=600)
.jpg?width=600)
_in_Istanbul.jpg?width=600)
Phase by phase
Takeoff from LAX
RIGHTDeparting LAX in the typical west-flow pattern, eastbound flights bank right shortly after takeoff to head north before turning toward the great-circle route. This turn puts the Santa Monica Bay coastline, downtown LA skyline, and San Gabriel Mountains directly under the right-side windows.
Landing at IST
RIGHTIstanbul Airport's northern-flow approach (runway 35) brings arriving aircraft up from the south over the Sea of Marmara toward the Black Sea. On this approach the historic Istanbul peninsula and the Bosphorus strait fall on the right side of the aircraft.
Will your flight be in sunlight?
Pick a date and time in the Sun Map to watch the sun move across your whole flight.
About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Los Angeles International (LAX) to İstanbul Airport (IST)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Los Angeles to Istanbul. While the right side wins both bookend views, the left side holds the north-facing window for most of the long cruise segment, where the great-circle route passes south of Greenland and near Iceland — offering extended views of Greenland's ice sheet and Iceland's volcanic terrain, which are rare and dramatic enough to outweigh the empty ocean and flat Canadian terrain seen from the right during cruise.
What can I see during takeoff from Los Angeles International in Los Angeles?
During takeoff from Los Angeles International (LAX), sit on the Right side for the best views. Departing LAX in the typical west-flow pattern, eastbound flights bank right shortly after takeoff to head north before turning toward the great-circle route. This turn puts the Santa Monica Bay coastline, downtown LA skyline, and San Gabriel Mountains directly under the right-side windows. Notable sights include: Santa Monica Bay, Palos Verdes Peninsula, Downtown Los Angeles skyline, San Gabriel Mountains.
What can I see when landing at İstanbul Airport in Istanbul?
When landing at İstanbul Airport (IST), sit on the Right side for the best views. Istanbul Airport's northern-flow approach (runway 35) brings arriving aircraft up from the south over the Sea of Marmara toward the Black Sea. On this approach the historic Istanbul peninsula and the Bosphorus strait fall on the right side of the aircraft. Notable sights include: Sea of Marmara, Bosphorus strait, Istanbul historic peninsula, Black Sea coastline.
How long is the flight from Los Angeles to Istanbul?
The flight from Los Angeles International (LAX) to İstanbul Airport (IST) takes about 12 hours 35 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 6,836 miles (11,002 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Los Angeles to Istanbul flight path pass over?
The route's midpoint falls over the northern Labrador Sea approaching southern Greenland, with the great-circle path tracking near Hudson Bay, the southern Greenland ice sheet, and Iceland before continuing over the North Sea into continental Europe.