About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Seoul Ab (SSN) to Ataturk (IST)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Seoul East to Istanbul. The Istanbul arrival on the left side delivers the most dramatic and iconic single view of the entire flight — the Bosphorus, the historic peninsula, and the Golden Horn on approach. The takeoff right-side views of Seoul are good but the city is less visually concentrated. For the full flight, left-side passengers also get better views of the Caspian Sea crossing and parts of the Caucasus range in the mid-flight.
What can I see during takeoff from Seoul Ab in Seoul East?
During takeoff from Seoul Ab (SSN), sit on the Right side for the best views. Seoul Air Base runways are oriented roughly east-west. Departing westbound toward Istanbul, the right side faces north, giving views over central Seoul's urban grid, the Han River crossings, and Bukhansan's granite peaks rising above the city. The left side looks south over less distinctive suburban sprawl. Notable sights include: Han River and its bridges through central Seoul, Bukhansan granite massif north of the city, Namsan hill and N Seoul Tower, dense urban grid of Gangnam district.
What can I see when landing at Ataturk in Istanbul?
When landing at Ataturk (IST), sit on the Left side for the best views. Ataturk Airport's primary runway 06/24 means arrivals from the east typically land on runway 06, approaching from the east over the Marmara Sea. The left side faces north, giving clear views of the Bosphorus strait, the Golden Horn, and the historic peninsula of old Istanbul with its distinctive skyline of minarets and domes. The right side looks south over the open Sea of Marmara. Notable sights include: Bosphorus strait connecting Marmara to Black Sea, historic peninsula of Sultanahmet with Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia silhouettes, Golden Horn inlet, Galata Bridge and Galata Tower district.
How long is the flight from Seoul East to Istanbul?
The flight from Seoul Ab (SSN) to Ataturk (IST) takes Approximately 11 to 12 hours.
What does the Seoul East to Istanbul flight path pass over?
The route tracks westward across northern China and Mongolia, then crosses the Caspian Sea — a large inland body of water clearly visible from altitude. The Caucasus Mountains appear as a significant snow-capped range running roughly east-west. The route then crosses northern Iran and eastern Turkey's high Anatolian plateau before descending toward Istanbul. The Ural region and Central Asian steppe are visible as vast flat terrain in the early mid-flight segment.