About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Luqa (MLA) to Ataturk (IST)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Malta to Istanbul. The right side wins overall because the Grand Harbour departure from Malta is genuinely spectacular and hard to beat, and during the cruise the right side also looks south over the Ionian Sea and Greek island chains including Crete and the Dodecanese. The left side wins at landing, but the right side's advantage across departure and the majority of the flight path edges it out.
What can I see during takeoff from Luqa in Malta?
During takeoff from Luqa (MLA), sit on the Right side for the best views. Malta's main runway 31 departure heads northwest, putting the right side facing northeast over Valletta's Grand Harbour and the Three Cities. You get a clear view of the fortified harbour, Valletta's peninsula, and the open Mediterranean beyond before climbing out over the sea. Notable sights include: Grand Harbour and Valletta peninsula, Three Cities (Vittoriosa, Senglea, Cospicua), Marsaxlokk Bay to the southeast, Comino and Gozo islands to the north.
What can I see when landing at Ataturk in Istanbul?
When landing at Ataturk (IST), sit on the Left side for the best views. Ataturk Airport's primary landing runway 06 brings aircraft in from the west over the Sea of Marmara, and the left side faces south toward the Marmara shoreline, the Bosphorus strait, and the historic peninsula of old Istanbul with its unmistakable skyline of minarets and domes. This is one of the most dramatic urban approach views in the world. Notable sights include: Historic Peninsula of Istanbul (Sultanahmet, Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque), Bosphorus Strait, Sea of Marmara, Princes Islands (Adalar) archipelago.
How long is the flight from Malta to Istanbul?
The flight from Luqa (MLA) to Ataturk (IST) takes Approximately 2 hours 30 minutes to 2 hours 45 minutes.
What does the Malta to Istanbul flight path pass over?
The route tracks northeast over the central Mediterranean, passing south of Sicily and the toe of Italy, then crosses the Ionian Sea. The Greek island of Crete is visible to the right on the southern horizon. The route then crosses the Aegean Sea with the Cyclades and Dodecanese island chains visible below and to the right, before crossing the northern Aegean and approaching the Thracian coast near the Sea of Marmara.