Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from London to Istanbul. While the right side wins at takeoff with Thames Estuary views, the left side delivers the more dramatic payoff on landing with the Sea of Marmara, the Bosphorus, and the unmistakable Istanbul skyline. During the cruise, the left side also tracks better over the Alps and the Aegean coastline of Greece and western Turkey, making it the stronger choice across the full flight.

During takeoff from Stansted (STN), sit on the Right side for the best views. Stansted's main runway 04/22 means departures heading northeast give the right side a view over the Essex countryside and the Thames Estuary as the aircraft turns southeast toward Europe. The left side faces inland toward Hertfordshire with little of note. Notable sights include: Thames Estuary glinting to the southeast, Chelmsford urban sprawl below, the flat Essex farmland patchwork, and the North Sea coastline near Southend.

When landing at Ataturk (IST), sit on the Left side for the best views. Ataturk Airport's primary landing runway 06/24 typically sees arrivals from the northwest over the Sea of Marmara. On approach from the northwest, the left side faces south over the Marmara, giving a clear view of the Bosphorus strait, the historic peninsula of old Istanbul, and the city skyline. The right side looks north over the less scenic European suburbs. Notable sights include: Sea of Marmara, the Bosphorus strait, the historic peninsula with the Old City skyline, and the Prince's Islands scattered in the Marmara.

The flight from Stansted (STN) to Ataturk (IST) takes Approximately 3 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours 50 minutes.

The flight tracks southeast over the English Channel, then across northern France and Belgium, before crossing the Alps over Switzerland or Austria where the snow-capped peaks are visible on clear days. The route then passes over the Balkans — Serbia, Bulgaria — with the Rhodope Mountains visible. Descending toward Turkey, the Thracian plain opens up before the Sea of Marmara and the Bosphorus come into view on approach.