Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Montreal to Istanbul. While the left seat wins at departure for Montreal's cityscape, the right seat delivers the more dramatic payoff at landing with the Bosphorus, the Sea of Marmara, and Istanbul's historic skyline all visible simultaneously on approach. The right seat also tracks the Atlantic coastline and parts of southern Europe during cruise at a slight advantage.

During takeoff from Montreal International Dorval (YUL), sit on the Left side for the best views. YUL's most common departures are on runway 24L/24R heading southwest, then turning northeast toward the Atlantic. A left seat gives you Montreal island, the St. Lawrence River, and the city grid as you climb out. The right side faces suburban sprawl toward the south shore. Notable sights include: Montreal island and downtown skyline, St. Lawrence River broadening toward Lake Saint-Pierre, Laurentian Mountains foothills to the north, Montreal's Old Port waterfront district.

When landing at Ataturk (IST), sit on the Right side for the best views. IST's primary landing approaches from the west on runway 06 put the Bosphorus Strait and the European and Asian sides of Istanbul on the right side of the aircraft. You get a direct view of the strait, the Sea of Marmara, and the historic peninsula with its dense Ottoman-era skyline. Notable sights include: Bosphorus Strait separating Europe and Asia, Sea of Marmara to the south, Historic Peninsula of Istanbul with Sultanahmet district, Princes' Islands visible as small dots in the Marmara.

The flight from Montreal International Dorval (YUL) to Ataturk (IST) takes Approximately 9 to 10 hours.

The route crosses the North Atlantic south of Greenland, passes over Ireland and the UK, crosses the English Channel, tracks over France and the Alps (Mont Blanc massif visible on clear days), continues over northern Italy or the Adriatic Sea, crosses the Balkans including the Dinaric Alps, and descends over Bulgaria and Thrace into Istanbul