IST to LHR: which side of the plane should you sit on?
Istanbul (IST) to London (LHR) is a 2,487 km (1,546 mi), roughly 3h 26m westbound flight. Here is where the sun sits along that path, computed with the same astronomy as our live calculator.
On most daytime IST to LHR departures the sun favors the left side — sit on the right (a window on the right) for shade.
Sun side by season and departure time
| Season | Morning (8 am) | Midday (1 pm) | Evening (6 pm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| March equinox | Right | Left | Left |
| June solstice | Right | Left | Left |
| September equinox | Right | Left | Left |
| December solstice | Left | Left | Night |
What you’ll see on this flight
Views are basically even, so the right side wins on shade.
IST to LHR is a mixed-out-the-window route. Views do not pick a winner, so the shade side does. On this westbound flight, that is the right side.
Takeoff
After departure from IST, depending on the runway in use, you get a quick city-and-water start. The Bosporus Strait is on the right, while Istanbul and the Princes' Islands sit to the left. About 5 minutes in, Tekirdağ is also left.
En route
- 29m in← LeftBalkan Mountains
About half an hour in, the Balkan Mountains are on the left. They read as a long, low ridge rather than a single peak.
- 1h 04m in← LeftBelgrade
About an hour in, Belgrade is on the left. You see the city as a broad patch of buildings, not a close-up skyline.
- 1h 29m inRight →Lake Balaton
About 90 minutes in, Lake Balaton is on the right. It shows up as a wide blue shape against the land.
- 2h 09m in← LeftZugspitze
A little over two hours in, Zugspitze is on the left. It comes and goes fast, since it sits high and far off on the horizon.
- 2h 48m inRight →Aachen
Near 2 hours 50 minutes in, Aachen is on the right. It is a later-side city view rather than a long look.
Landing
On descent into LHR, depending on the runway in use, the left side gets the stronger approach-side views. Beachy Head, Brighton and Hove, and Portsmouth are all on the left. London sits close on the right and is nearly overhead, so it flashes by fast.
Sides and timings are computed from this route’s geometry. What you actually see depends on weather, air-traffic routing, and the runway in use on the day.
Frequently asked
Which side of the plane avoids the sun from IST to LHR?
Across typical daytime departures, the sun predominantly hits the left side of the aircraft, so the right side stays shadier. Seat letters start at the left window, so choose the highest window letter (F on narrowbodies, K on many widebodies).
Which side has the sunset views on IST to LHR flights?
For sunset views, flip the advice: on evening departures the sun sits on the left side of this route, so that is the side with the show.
How long is the flight from IST to LHR?
The great-circle distance is 2,487 km (1,546 mi), which works out to roughly 3h 26m in the air on this westbound routing. Winds and routing move the real block time around that estimate.
Does the date or departure time change the answer?
Yes — that is why the table shows both. The sun's path shifts with the season, and a morning departure can put the glare on the opposite side compared to an evening one. For a specific flight, the calculator samples the sun along the whole route for your exact date and time.
Which side should I sit on from IST to LHR?
Pick the right side for shade. The views are close to even, so they do not change the call.
What will I see after takeoff from Istanbul?
Right away, the Bosporus Strait is on the right. Istanbul and the Princes' Islands are on the left, along with Tekirdağ a few minutes later.