Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Chicago to Istanbul. While takeoff favors the right, the landing approach on the left provides more dramatic and sustained views of Istanbul's geography—the Marmara Sea, Bosphorus, and the city's distinctive layout. The left side captures the more visually interesting final descent.

During takeoff from Chicago Midway International (MDW), sit on the Right side for the best views. Right-side seats offer views of Lake Michigan as the aircraft climbs northeast from Midway. You'll see the Chicago shoreline and downtown skyline receding, with the lake dominating the eastern horizon. Notable sights include: Lake Michigan, Chicago downtown skyline, Indiana shoreline to the southeast, Des Plaines River valley below.

When landing at Ataturk (IST), sit on the Left side for the best views. Left-side seats provide views during the approach to Istanbul. You'll see the Marmara Sea, the Bosphorus strait, and the European side of Istanbul with its urban sprawl and the Golden Horn inlet before touchdown at Atatürk. Notable sights include: Sea of Marmara, Bosphorus Strait, Golden Horn (Haliç), European Istanbul urban area.

The flight from Chicago Midway International (MDW) to Ataturk (IST) takes Approximately 10.5 to 11.5 hours.

The flight path crosses the Atlantic over the North Atlantic, then enters European airspace over the UK or France. Over continental Europe, you'll pass over the Alps (visible on clear days as a white ridge on the horizon), then across the Balkans. The Danube River valley may be visible in Hungary and Romania. As you approach Turkey, the Black Sea becomes visible to the north, and the Carpathian Mountains appear to the northwest. The final approach crosses the Sea of Marmara with views of the Bosphorus and Istanbul's sprawling metropolitan area.