Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Miami to Istanbul. While the right side wins at takeoff, the left side delivers the superior overall experience. After departing, the left side tracks the Atlantic coast northward, picks up the Azores in the mid-Atlantic if routing that way, views the Iberian Peninsula and Mediterranean coastline, and then delivers the spectacular Istanbul approach over the Marmara and Bosphorus. The Istanbul arrival alone makes left the clear overall choice.

During takeoff from Miami International (MIA), sit on the Right side for the best views. MIA typically departs eastward on runways 08L/08R, sending the aircraft over Miami Beach and Biscayne Bay. Right-side passengers get a clear look back at downtown Miami's skyline and the barrier islands stretching south toward the Keys. Notable sights include: Downtown Miami skyline, Biscayne Bay, Miami Beach barrier island, Port of Miami cruise terminals.

When landing at Ataturk (IST), sit on the Left side for the best views. Istanbul Ataturk approaches from the west over the Sea of Marmara on runway 06, meaning left-side passengers see the Marmara coastline, the Bosphorus strait, and the historic peninsula of old Istanbul with its distinctive skyline of minarets and domes during final approach. Notable sights include: Sea of Marmara, Bosphorus Strait, historic Istanbul peninsula (Sultanahmet area with Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia silhouettes), Prince's Islands.

The flight from Miami International (MIA) to Ataturk (IST) takes Approximately 11 to 12 hours.

The route typically arcs northeast over the Atlantic, passing near or over Bermuda, then crosses the North Atlantic toward the Azores region, continues over Portugal and Spain or the Bay of Biscay, crosses the Mediterranean Sea near southern France or the Italian coast, passes over Greece or the Aegean Sea, and descends into Istanbul over the Sea of Marmara. The Strait of Gibraltar, Balearic Islands, Italian coastline, and Greek island chains of the Aegean are all potentially visible depending on exact routing and time of day.