Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Manila to Istanbul. Right side delivers the best views at both ends of the flight — Laguna de Bay and Sierra Madre on departure, and the Bosphorus and Istanbul's historic skyline on arrival. During the cruise, the right side also faces south, which on the westbound routing over South Asia keeps the Himalayas and Hindu Kush ranges on the right horizon during the India-Pakistan segment.

During takeoff from Ninoy Aquino International (MNL), sit on the Right side for the best views. NAIA's primary departure runway 06 sends aircraft northeast over Manila Bay on the left, but the right side captures Metro Manila's dense urban sprawl, the Pasig River winding through the city, and Laguna de Bay — one of Southeast Asia's largest lakes — coming into view as the aircraft climbs and turns. The right side also picks up the Sierra Madre mountain range to the east as altitude increases. Notable sights include: Laguna de Bay (massive freshwater lake southeast of Manila), Sierra Madre mountain range (eastern horizon), Pasig River delta and Metro Manila grid, Taal Volcano island visible to the south on clear days.

When landing at Ataturk (IST), sit on the Right side for the best views. Ataturk Airport's primary arrival runway 06 brings aircraft in from the northwest over the Sea of Marmara, placing the right side facing south toward the Marmara water and the Princes' Islands. However, for runway 24 arrivals from the east, the right side faces north and captures the Bosphorus strait, the Golden Horn, and the historic peninsula of Sultanahmet with its unmistakable skyline of minarets and domes. Given that long-haul flights from the east typically approach on runway 24, right side wins decisively. Notable sights include: Bosphorus strait (narrow waterway dividing Europe and Asia), Sultanahmet historic peninsula with Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque silhouettes, Golden Horn inlet, Sea of Marmara.

The flight from Ninoy Aquino International (MNL) to Ataturk (IST) takes Approximately 10-11 hours nonstop.

The route tracks northwest from Manila across the South China Sea, over southern China and Myanmar, then across Bangladesh and India. Over northern India and Pakistan the Hindu Kush and Karakoram ranges are visible to the north. The flight then crosses Afghanistan and Iran's central plateau before entering Turkish airspace over eastern Anatolia and the Anatolian highlands.