The left side wins across the whole flight: Mount Rainier at takeoff, a long stretch of Arctic Canada and the Greenland ice cap during the poleward-curving cruise, and the Bosphorus and Istanbul skyline on final approach. The right side sees mostly flat prairie, open ocean, and less distinctive European farmland.
Flown SEA to IST? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Seattle to Istanbul is 6,055 miles (9,745 km), a flight of about 11 hours 35 minutes.
The great-circle route bows far north, crossing the Canadian Rockies foothills of Alberta, the boreal forests and Hudson Bay lowlands, then the Davis Strait and the edge of the Greenland ice sheet before descending over Iceland and the Norwegian Sea toward continental Europe.
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from SEA
LEFTSEA departures on the southbound runway climb directly toward Mount Rainier, which sits close and enormous on the left side just after liftoff. The right side only shows the flatter Kent/Auburn valley and distant Olympics.
Landing at IST
LEFTOn the final descent into Istanbul Airport from the north, the aircraft tracks south and the Bosphorus strait with the historic city skyline sits off the left side of the plane. The right side mostly faces open farmland and the plain Thrace countryside.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Seattle Tacoma International (SEA) to İstanbul Airport (IST)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Seattle to Istanbul. The left side wins across the whole flight: Mount Rainier at takeoff, a long stretch of Arctic Canada and the Greenland ice cap during the poleward-curving cruise, and the Bosphorus and Istanbul skyline on final approach. The right side sees mostly flat prairie, open ocean, and less distinctive European farmland.
What can I see during takeoff from Seattle Tacoma International in Seattle?
During takeoff from Seattle Tacoma International (SEA), sit on the Left side for the best views. SEA departures on the southbound runway climb directly toward Mount Rainier, which sits close and enormous on the left side just after liftoff. The right side only shows the flatter Kent/Auburn valley and distant Olympics. Notable sights include: Mount Rainier, Cascade foothills, Green River valley, Tacoma.
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 the final descent into Istanbul Airport from the north, the aircraft tracks south and the Bosphorus strait with the historic city skyline sits off the left side of the plane. The right side mostly faces open farmland and the plain Thrace countryside. Notable sights include: Bosphorus Strait, Istanbul city skyline, Sea of Marmara, Princes' Islands.
How long is the flight from Seattle to Istanbul?
The flight from Seattle Tacoma International (SEA) to İstanbul Airport (IST) takes about 11 hours 35 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 6,055 miles (9,745 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Seattle to Istanbul flight path pass over?
The great-circle route bows far north, crossing the Canadian Rockies foothills of Alberta, the boreal forests and Hudson Bay lowlands, then the Davis Strait and the edge of the Greenland ice sheet before descending over Iceland and the Norwegian Sea toward continental Europe.