Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Los Angeles to Pendik, Istanbul. The westbound departure offers superior scenic value with Pacific coastline and mountain views. While the landing approach provides interesting water features, the takeoff experience is more visually rewarding for most passengers.

During takeoff from Los Angeles International (LAX), sit on the Left side for the best views. Left-side seats offer views of the Santa Monica Mountains and Pacific coastline as the aircraft climbs northwest over the Los Angeles Basin. Right-side views are blocked by the sprawl of inland Los Angeles and less visually distinctive. Notable sights include: Santa Monica Mountains, Pacific Ocean coastline, Los Angeles Basin urban grid, Malibu coast.

When landing at Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW), sit on the Right side for the best views. Right-side seats provide views of the Sea of Marmara, the Bosphorus strait, and the European side of Istanbul during approach to Sabiha Gökçen. The airport sits on the Asian side, but the approach path offers excellent views of these major water features and the city's geography. Notable sights include: Sea of Marmara, Bosphorus Strait, Istanbul urban area, Anatolian plateau.

The flight from Los Angeles International (LAX) to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) takes Approximately 13-14 hours.

The flight path crosses the continental United States (Rocky Mountains visible on clear days), then the Atlantic Ocean, passes over southern Europe including the Alps and Mediterranean coastline, and continues over Greece and the Aegean Sea before reaching Turkey. Notable landmarks along the route include the Rocky Mountain range, the Mediterranean coast near southern France or Italy, and the Greek islands in the Aegean Sea during the approach to Istanbul.