Istanbul to Izmir: which side to sit for the view
A window-seat guide for the Istanbul – Izmir flight: where the sun is, which side sees the sunset, and what you can spot along the way.
Quick answer
The sun switches sides on this route depending on the departure time, so check the table below for your flight.
Sunsets are usually seen from the right side.
Sunrises are usually seen from the left side.
Left = window seat A. Right = the last letter in the row (F on most single-aisle jets, K or L on wide-bodies).
Sun by departure time
Calculated for a departure at the local time shown, in mid-January and mid-July, along the shortest (great-circle) route. +2:10 means 2 h 10 min after takeoff.
| Departure | January | July |
|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | Dark the whole way | Sun on the left |
| 12:00 | Sun on the left | Sun ahead, behind or high |
| 17:00 | Sun on the right | Sun on the right |
| 22:00 | Dark the whole way | Dark the whole way |
What you can see on the way
Landmarks close to the shortest route and the side they appear on. Real flight paths change with winds and air traffic control, so treat this as a guide.
No major landmarks lie close to the shortest route; expect sea, clouds or open country.