Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Singapore to Istanbul. The landing approach into Istanbul on the right side delivers the most dramatic and iconic geography of the entire flight — the Bosphorus, the Sea of Marmara, and the historic peninsula in a single view. The takeoff left-side views of Singapore are excellent but briefer. For the long cruise over the Bay of Bengal, India, and the Middle East, neither side has a consistent advantage, but the right side picks up views of the Arabian Peninsula coastline and the Red Sea during the mid-flight segment.

During takeoff from Singapore Changi (SIN), sit on the Left side for the best views. Changi typically departs on runway 02L/02R heading north, or 20L/20R heading south. On a westbound departure toward IST, aircraft often turn northwest, putting the left side over the Strait of Malacca and the Singapore city skyline including Marina Bay. The right side faces east toward open sea and Batam Island. Notable sights include: Marina Bay Sands and CBD skyline, Strait of Malacca, Johor Bahru across the causeway, Sentosa Island.

When landing at Ataturk (IST), sit on the Right side for the best views. Ataturk Airport (now secondary but still used) sits on the European side of Istanbul. Arrivals from the east typically approach over the Bosphorus and Marmara Sea. A right-side seat gives views of the Bosphorus strait, the historic peninsula of Sultanahmet, and the Sea of Marmara on final approach from the east. Notable sights include: Bosphorus Strait, Sea of Marmara, Sultanahmet historic peninsula (Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque visible as domes), Prince's Islands.

The flight from Singapore Changi (SIN) to Ataturk (IST) takes Approximately 11 to 12 hours.

Bay of Bengal crossed roughly 2 hours after departure, then the Indian subcontinent (Bay of Bengal coast near Chennai, Deccan Plateau, crossing toward the Arabian Sea). The flight typically tracks over the Arabian Peninsula or Iran and Iraq depending on routing, with the Persian Gulf visible from either side over the Gulf states. The Zagros Mountains of Iran appear as a dramatic corrugated ridgeline. Final approach crosses the Black Sea coast or Thrace depending on routing into Istanbul.