ESB to IST: Distance and Flight Time
The distance from Esenboğa International Airport (ESB) to İstanbul Airport (IST) is 381 km (237 mi). A typical nonstop flight covers it in about 1h, heading west. The distance is the same in either direction (IST to ESB).
How far is it from Ankara to Istanbul?
The great-circle distance between Esenboğa International Airport (ESB) and İstanbul Airport (IST) is 381 km (237 mi, 206 nautical miles). That is the straight-line distance; a real flight is a little longer because of air-traffic routing.
How long is the flight from ESB to IST?
A nonstop flight typically takes about 1h. This is an estimate from the distance; actual block times depend on the aircraft, winds and the exact routing. IST is roughly west of ESB.
How is the ESB to IST route written in code?
The pair is written ESB-IST in IATA codes and LTAC-LTFM in ICAO codes, the form used on a flight plan. Esenboğa International Airport is ESB (LTAC), İstanbul Airport is IST (LTFM).
| ESB | IST | |
|---|---|---|
| Airport | Esenboğa International Airport | İstanbul Airport |
| ICAO code | LTAC | LTFM |
| Country | Turkey | Turkey |
| Elevation | 3,125 ft | 325 ft |
| Rank by connections | #298 | #18 |
Both ICAO codes start with L, the prefix ICAO assigns to southern Europe, so this is a route inside one ICAO region. How ICAO prefixes are laid out.
IST sits 2,800 ft (853 m) lower than ESB, which is a real difference in air density on takeoff.
Airlines flying ESB to IST
2 airlines appear on this route in the open route dataset, 2 of them still listed as active. Each row gives the IATA code, the ICAO code and the radio callsign, which is what an air traffic controller hears:
| IATA | Airline | ICAO | Callsign | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FG | Ariana Afghan Airlines | AFG | Ariana | Active |
| TK | Turkish Airlines | THY | Turkair | Active |
Route and carrier data comes from the OpenFlights open dataset, regenerated here on . It is a historical snapshot of scheduled connections, not a live schedule, and it includes codeshare listings, so some carriers shown may no longer operate the route or exist. How we build this · Data and sources.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Ankara from Istanbul?
Esenboğa International Airport (ESB) and İstanbul Airport (IST) are 381 km (237 mi, 206 nautical miles) apart in a straight line.
How long is the flight from ESB to IST?
A typical nonstop flight between ESB and IST takes about 1h. Actual times vary with aircraft type, winds and routing.
What direction is IST from ESB?
İstanbul Airport (IST) lies roughly west of Esenboğa International Airport (ESB).
Which airlines fly ESB to IST?
2 airlines appear on the ESB-IST route in the open dataset, including Ariana Afghan Airlines, Turkish Airlines.
Related routes
Other routes from Ankara (ESB):
Other routes from Istanbul (IST):
ESB airport code · IST airport code · Busiest airports worldwide