The left side benefits from the dramatic Bosphorus and Istanbul skyline during arrival, plus a possible glimpse of the western Black Sea coastline during descent, while the right side mostly overlooks flat interior terrain of the Baltics, Belarus, and Ukraine.
Flown TLL to IST? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Tallinn to Istanbul is 1,264 miles (2,035 km), a flight of about 2 hours 35 minutes.
The route crosses the flatlands of Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus, and western Ukraine before angling southwest toward the Black Sea coast near Romania and Bulgaria, then continuing into Turkish airspace toward Istanbul.
Great circle distance and headings ›Phase by phase
Takeoff from TLL
RIGHTDeparting TLL, the aircraft's initial climb typically banks to give a view north over Tallinn's Old Town and Tallinn Bay before turning south toward Latvia. This is the only true coastal/urban scenery of the flight aside from the Istanbul arrival.
Landing at IST
LEFTArriving into IST from the north, flights typically cross the western Black Sea coast and descend over the Bosphorus and Sea of Marmara, giving passengers on the left a sweeping view of Istanbul's skyline, the strait, and the two continents it divides.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Tallinn (TLL) to İstanbul Airport (IST)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Tallinn to Istanbul. The left side benefits from the dramatic Bosphorus and Istanbul skyline during arrival, plus a possible glimpse of the western Black Sea coastline during descent, while the right side mostly overlooks flat interior terrain of the Baltics, Belarus, and Ukraine.
What can I see during takeoff from Tallinn in Tallinn?
During takeoff from Tallinn (TLL), sit on the Right side for the best views. Departing TLL, the aircraft's initial climb typically banks to give a view north over Tallinn's Old Town and Tallinn Bay before turning south toward Latvia. This is the only true coastal/urban scenery of the flight aside from the Istanbul arrival. Notable sights include: Tallinn Old Town spires, Tallinn Bay, Gulf of Finland coastline.
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. Arriving into IST from the north, flights typically cross the western Black Sea coast and descend over the Bosphorus and Sea of Marmara, giving passengers on the left a sweeping view of Istanbul's skyline, the strait, and the two continents it divides. Notable sights include: Bosphorus Strait, Sea of Marmara, Istanbul's historic peninsula and mosque skyline, Black Sea coastline.
How long is the flight from Tallinn to Istanbul?
The flight from Tallinn (TLL) to İstanbul Airport (IST) takes about 2 hours 35 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 1,264 miles (2,035 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Tallinn to Istanbul flight path pass over?
The route crosses the flatlands of Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus, and western Ukraine before angling southwest toward the Black Sea coast near Romania and Bulgaria, then continuing into Turkish airspace toward Istanbul.