London to Istanbul flight path: LHR to IST

Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from London to Istanbul. The right (south-facing) side offers the only meaningful terrain variety on this route — a brief London river view at takeoff, glimpses of the Alps' northern foothills and Balkan mountain ridges during cruise, and the Sea of Marmara on approach into Istanbul. The left side stays over flat Central European plains for most of the flight.

During takeoff from Heathrow (LHR), sit on the Right side for the best views. Departing LHR to the west before curving southeast toward Europe, the right side offers a brief glimpse of the Thames Valley and outer London suburbs before the aircraft climbs over the Channel toward France. The left side mostly shows flat Home Counties farmland with little distinction. Notable sights include: Thames river bends, Windsor area, London's western suburbs, Surrey countryside.

When landing at İstanbul Airport (IST), sit on the Right side for the best views. Approaching Istanbul Airport from the west, the right side of the aircraft faces south toward the Sea of Marmara, giving passengers a wide view of the water, coastal towns, and the general shape of the Istanbul peninsula before landing. The left side faces north toward less distinctive inland terrain. Notable sights include: Sea of Marmara coastline, Istanbul's western suburbs, scattered coastal towns, distant Bosphorus mouth.

The flight from Heathrow (LHR) to İstanbul Airport (IST) takes 3h 55m.

The route crosses central Germany, Austria, and the northern Balkans, passing south of the Alps' outer ranges and over the rolling terrain of Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria before descending toward the Sea of Marmara.