Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Chicago to Istanbul. The right side wins overall because the Istanbul approach delivers one of the most spectacular urban arrivals in aviation — the historic peninsula, Bosphorus, and Sea of Marmara together. The left side Chicago departure is excellent but the Istanbul landing view is more unique and harder to replicate on other routes.

During takeoff from Chicago Ohare International (ORD), sit on the Left side for the best views. ORD's most common eastbound departures on runways 10L/10R put the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan on the left side. You get a clear view of the downtown Loop, Grant Park, and the lakefront as the aircraft climbs and turns northeast. Notable sights include: Chicago Loop skyline, Lake Michigan shoreline, Grant Park/Museum Campus, Navy Pier.

When landing at Ataturk (IST), sit on the Right side for the best views. Ataturk Airport's most common westerly approaches on runway 06 bring aircraft in from over the Sea of Marmara. The right side gives you the Bosphorus strait, the Golden Horn, and the historic peninsula with Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque clearly visible as you descend over the water. Notable sights include: Bosphorus Strait, Sea of Marmara, Historic Peninsula with Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque domes, Golden Horn inlet.

The flight from Chicago Ohare International (ORD) to Ataturk (IST) takes Approximately 11 to 12 hours.

The route tracks northeast over the Great Lakes, then across southern Canada and Newfoundland, crosses the North Atlantic, passes over Ireland and southern England or northern France, crosses the Alps or central Europe depending on routing, then descends over the Balkans and approaches Istanbul from the northwest over Thrace and the Sea of Marmara.