Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Podgorica to Istanbul. Left side wins throughout: Lake Skadar and the Montenegrin karst on departure, then views over the Albanian and North Macedonian highlands during cruise, and finally the unmistakable Istanbul skyline and Bosphorus on approach. The right side offers mostly open water and featureless terrain by comparison.

During takeoff from Podgorica (TGD), sit on the Left side for the best views. Podgorica airport typically departs on runway 18 heading south, then turns northeast toward Istanbul. The left side captures Lake Skadar immediately after takeoff — the largest lake in the Balkans — and the dramatic Prokletije mountain range rising to the southeast. The Morača River canyon is also visible cutting through the karst terrain below. Notable sights include: Lake Skadar (Skadarsko jezero), Prokletije mountains, Morača River canyon, Podgorica city center.

When landing at Ataturk (IST), sit on the Left side for the best views. Ataturk Airport (now used for cargo/general aviation but historically the main hub) approaches from the west over the Sea of Marmara on runway 06. The left side gives a clear view of the Bosphorus strait, the historic peninsula of Sultanahmet with the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia visible, and the Golden Horn. The right side sees mostly the open Marmara and suburban sprawl. Notable sights include: Bosphorus strait, Sultanahmet historic peninsula (Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia), Golden Horn, Princes Islands in the Sea of Marmara.

The flight from Podgorica (TGD) to Ataturk (IST) takes Approximately 1 hour 20 minutes.

The flight tracks northeast over North Macedonia, crossing the Šar Mountains and the Vardar River valley near Skopje, then over southern Bulgaria's Rhodope mountain foothills before descending over Thrace toward the Sea of Marmara and Istanbul.