The left side wins overall because the cruise phase crosses the southern edge of the Xinjiang basin near the Tian Shan mountains and skirts the Caspian Sea and Caucasus foothills, giving genuine terrain drama, while the right side mostly overlooks the flatter Kazakh steppe. The Istanbul approach on the left also delivers a strong visual finale with the Bosphorus and historic skyline.
Flown PVG to IST? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Shanghai to Istanbul is 4,984 miles (8,022 km), a flight of about 10 hours 50 minutes.
Tian Shan mountain range along the Xinjiang border, Taklamakan Desert edge, Aral Sea basin remnants, Caspian Sea, Caucasus mountain foothills
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from PVG
LEFTDeparting PVG on a northwest heading, the left side offers glimpses of the Yangtze Delta's river channels and Hangzhou Bay's coastline before the aircraft climbs inland over flat farmland. It's a modest edge, since most of the initial climb is over featureless plains either way.
Landing at IST
LEFTOn a typical northbound approach into IST (runway 35), the aircraft descends from the south, and the left side reveals the historic peninsula of Istanbul with the Bosphorus strait cutting through the city. The Golden Horn and the dense skyline of the European side make for a much more distinctive final approach than the flatter Thracian countryside on the right.
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Pick a date and time in the Sun Map to watch the sun move across your whole flight.
About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Shanghai Pudong International (PVG) to İstanbul Airport (IST)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Shanghai to Istanbul. The left side wins overall because the cruise phase crosses the southern edge of the Xinjiang basin near the Tian Shan mountains and skirts the Caspian Sea and Caucasus foothills, giving genuine terrain drama, while the right side mostly overlooks the flatter Kazakh steppe. The Istanbul approach on the left also delivers a strong visual finale with the Bosphorus and historic skyline.
What can I see during takeoff from Shanghai Pudong International in Shanghai?
During takeoff from Shanghai Pudong International (PVG), sit on the Left side for the best views. Departing PVG on a northwest heading, the left side offers glimpses of the Yangtze Delta's river channels and Hangzhou Bay's coastline before the aircraft climbs inland over flat farmland. It's a modest edge, since most of the initial climb is over featureless plains either way. Notable sights include: Yangtze River delta channels, Hangzhou Bay coastline, Shanghai's outer suburbs.
What can I see when landing at İstanbul Airport in Istanbul?
When landing at İstanbul Airport (IST), sit on the Left side for the best views. On a typical northbound approach into IST (runway 35), the aircraft descends from the south, and the left side reveals the historic peninsula of Istanbul with the Bosphorus strait cutting through the city. The Golden Horn and the dense skyline of the European side make for a much more distinctive final approach than the flatter Thracian countryside on the right. Notable sights include: Bosphorus strait, historic Istanbul peninsula, Golden Horn, Sea of Marmara coastline.
How long is the flight from Shanghai to Istanbul?
The flight from Shanghai Pudong International (PVG) to İstanbul Airport (IST) takes about 10 hours 50 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 4,984 miles (8,022 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Shanghai to Istanbul flight path pass over?
Tian Shan mountain range along the Xinjiang border, Taklamakan Desert edge, Aral Sea basin remnants, Caspian Sea, Caucasus mountain foothills