LTFM/IST - Istanbul - Hampton by Hilton Arnavutkoy - March 2026

As two years had elapsed since my last visit, it was time to head back to Istanbul to tidy-up the ever-growing fleets of the local carriers.  The other bonus here is seeing a good number of airlines banned in our part of the world (which continues to make it a very interesting place).  This time I stayed at the Hampton by Hilton in Arnavutkoy which I noticed nearing completion during my last visit. Its located a couple of miles south of the airport and is recommended hotel which proved better than expected for views of the action. I had room 1431 on the 4th floor  (any room between 1401 - 1437 (odd) will work. The 5th floor (top) room windows are recessed into the roof and probably have restricted views. As usual, ops were Northerly and inbounds for 34L pass just to the left of the hotel easily visible at around 1200ft. Traffic on 35R (the other main landing runway) can also be seen slightly tail on as they pass (but can be watched all the way to touchdown as there is a good view of runway 35R/L) All traffic using these runways can be seen as well as the taxiways and stands on the West side of the airport, The only issue is landing traffic on 36 (which is the most distant runway) is only visible briefly on very short finals.  Fortunately, its only very occasionally used for landing traffic at busy periods. With Southerly Ops traffic should still be easily seen from the hotel (depending on the cloud base!).

Credit: Bill Robertson

https://maps.app.goo.gl/rdRBhVEbfR3hCHG27

View from room 1431.

LTAI/AYT - Antalya - Holiday Inn - Lara - October 2025

I stayed at the Holiday Inn - Lara Antalya which I think has been reported on before. The hotel is a couple of miles south of the airport and about a mile east of the extended centreline for runway 36C, the main runway used for arrivals over the sea. 36R/18L is departures preferred and 36L/18R is used by the occasional mil visitor.  I had an 11th floor sea facing room with a balcony and breakfast was included. During occasional runway inspections / works on 36C any arrivals landing on 36R come right over the hotel. 

For photos you'll need a 400mm tele lens to take pictures from the balcony of arrivals on 36C.  They did switch ends a couple of times due weather, but you can briefly glimpse departures from the balcony when they do go off runway 18L. 

Some of the Russian SU95's didn't seem to show on apps including ADSB exchange but nearly all were read off from the balcony. They do however appear on the arrivals list for the airport on FR24 within a couple of minutes of landing. Everything else appears on the usual apps. 

https://maps.app.goo.gl/7aiXj97VQxZr4Tr79

LTFJ/SAW - Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen - Green Park Hotel - April 2025

Spent 24hrs at SAW and stayed at the Green Park hotel on the coast. Room 8235 (8th floor) gave an almost side-on view of inbounds and the fully opening window also allowed some decent photos.

Credit: Bill Robertson

https://maps.app.goo.gl/oTeESTdNPk8bytZS6

Above: View from room 8235.

LTFJ/SAW - Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen - Marriott Hotel Pendik - September 2024

At SAW we stayed at Marriott Pendik (the old Asia Divan).  Another spotter had suggested a Junior Club Suite, but I would say a Junior King Suite with Sea view room was a better selection.  We were allocated 105 which was excellent.  The approach to 06R (predominant runway for arrival) is close to the hotel, and from the panoramic bay window you can see departures off 06L, which is about 2.5 miles away).  So you shouldn’t miss any SAW traffic. You can also go up to the rooftop bar where you can see all SAW arrivals (but not departures).

From the room and the roof you can also get a reasonable chance with IST arrivals from east and north east, and outbounds to the South East (assuming predominant landing direction to the North).  But you are at the mercy of both the weather and ATC. 

Despite good weather forecasts before departure, each day there was a build up of cloud and thunderstorm over Black Sea in the vicinity of IST which then gradually drifted SE to SAW.   Although cloud base was often 6,000ft plus, which meant traffic was often still visible, you then have the ATC effect!  ATC seem to use the whole area from the Bosphorus Channel to well east of SAW in a random manner.  That includes routing and heights. So, just when you think you know where to look they change things about.  At one point they had an inbound from the N and one from SE opposite direction over the same point east of SAW 3,000 feet apart.

Credit: Paul Rainford 

https://maps.app.goo.gl/UuG1SwSUn2b1TPzX8

LTFM/IST - Istanbul - Continental Airport Hotel - September 2024

We stayed at the Continental Airport Hotel in Arnavutkoy. A room at the front (506/507/606/607) gives you a view towards IST, which is about 3 miles away.  Arrivals for the middle runways (35l/35R) come right overhead, and you can easily see arrivals on the left side (34L/34R).  Runway 36 is used for most departures and aircraft can be seen over trees after lift off. There was one flight that landed that side, and you only get a brief view of it on short final.

The Continental is very basic and quite small hotel.  Although you would get the impression there are dining facilities, all food seems to be ordered by the hotel via Deliveroo type operations, and you pay the driver when he brings it to the room. Having said that, the meal we ate there was really nice. There is also a garage about 10 min walk away with usual supplies. However the hotel isn’t luxurious but was clean, but we had a 5 hour period without water in the hotel, and as a result we checked out a night early to avoid risking a repeat.

There is now a Hampton Inn on the road from the motorway to Arnavutkoy. Guess that should offer similar views - Editor Note: see later reports.  

Credit: Paul Rainford.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/6sshU8GETZ76PTqn9

LTAI/AYT - Antalya - Baia Lara Hotel - May 2024

I have recently returned from a family holiday to Antalya. We stayed at the Baia Lara hotel which is a 5 Star All Inclusive hotel on Lara Beach. The hotel is a fair way from the airport.  I requested a room on a high floor looking towards the mountains and was given 6303 which was ideal. From there I could see all arrivals and departures but not the airport itself.  If the aircraft were landing from the North I had to look through a gap between two blocks of flats to see the aircraft land.

From the pool area and other parts of the hotel aircraft, can be seen either landing or taking off. Typically they land over the sea until about 9:30 AM and then from then until about 9 PM they depart over the sea.  With binoculars the type and operator of the aircraft can be clearly seen.

There is a phone app called AYT which is very useful as it lists arrivals and departures including registrations.  This includes airlines such as Uzbekistan which for some strange reason where not showing on FR24.

Credit: Robert Aldridge

https://maps.app.goo.gl/2Kg7HQ5539kWoHvj6