Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Valencia to Istanbul. While the right seat wins at takeoff for Valencia's coast and port, the left side dominates the majority of the flight. Over the Balearic Sea the left seat looks south toward Ibiza and Mallorca. Crossing the Italian peninsula the left side faces the Adriatic and eventually the Greek coastline. The Istanbul arrival on the left is the single most spectacular moment of the flight, making left the better overall choice.

During takeoff from Valencia (VLC), sit on the Right side for the best views. Valencia airport typically departs on runway 12 (southeast) or 30 (northwest). On a northeast-bound flight to Istanbul, a runway 12 departure swings the aircraft left over the city and coast, putting the Mediterranean and Valencia's urban grid on the right side during the initial climb and turn. The right seat gets the city center, the old port, and the coastline as the aircraft banks northeast. Notable sights include: Valencia city center and old town grid, Port of Valencia and America's Cup harbor, Mediterranean coastline stretching north toward Sagunto, Albufera lagoon to the south.

When landing at Ataturk (IST), sit on the Left side for the best views. Istanbul Ataturk airport sits on the European side of the city, and aircraft typically approach from the west on runway 06 or from the east on runway 24. On a westbound approach from the Marmara Sea direction, the left seat looks north over the Bosphorus strait, the Golden Horn, and the historic peninsula of Sultanahmet. The left side consistently captures the most dramatic Istanbul geography during descent. Notable sights include: Bosphorus strait with its distinctive S-curve, Sea of Marmara to the south, Sultanahmet historic peninsula with Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque silhouettes, Golden Horn inlet.

The flight from Valencia (VLC) to Ataturk (IST) takes Approximately 3 hours 15 minutes to 3 hours 45 minutes.

Balearic Islands (Ibiza, Mallorca) visible early in the flight to the south, followed by the Italian coastline near Rome or Naples depending on routing, the Adriatic Sea crossing, the Greek mainland and Aegean islands including the northern Cyclades, and the Sea of Marmara on approach to Istanbul