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ATL → MAD
Which side of the plane to sit from Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport (Atlanta) to Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (Madrid)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers a superior perspective of the Atlantic sunrise and the dramatic entrance into Spain over the Picos de Europa mountains, while avoiding the harshest direct sunlight on morning arrivals.
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Atlanta Skyline
Aerial views of the Midtown and Downtown skyscrapers immediately following departure from Hartsfield-Jackson.
Outer Banks
The unique, thin barrier islands of North Carolina are often visible as the flight transitions over the Atlantic.
Mid-Atlantic Dawn
As an eastbound overnight flight, the left side catches the first light and vivid colors of the sun rising over the horizon.
Picos de Europa
Dramatic, jagged limestone peaks in Northern Spain visible during the initial descent phase.
Sierra de Guadarrama
The snow-capped mountain range north of Madrid providing a scenic backdrop just before landing.
Choose a window seat forward of the wing to maximize views of the Spanish coastline. Since most ATL-MAD flights are overnight, the left side is better for sleeping as it avoids the direct southern sun during the morning approach into Madrid. Keep your window shade down during the middle of the flight to assist fellow passengers, but open it roughly 45 minutes before landing to catch the Cantabrian mountains.
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Chesapeake Bay
Depending on the northern departure track, views of the massive estuary and the Virginia coastline.
Bermuda Proximity
On more southerly tracks, views of the deep sapphire waters of the Sargasso Sea.
Galician Rias
The rugged, fjord-like estuaries of Northwest Spain as the aircraft makes landfall.
Castilian Plateau
The 'Meseta' landscape with its characteristic golden and ochre fields surrounding the Madrid region.
Madrid Metropolis
Extensive views of the urban sprawl and satellite towns as the plane aligns with the Barajas runways.
The right side can get quite warm during the final two hours of the flight as it faces south toward the sun. However, it offers a great perspective of the Spanish 'Meseta' plateau. If the flight approaches MAD from the south (depending on wind), the right side may provide a distant view of the city center and the Cuatro Torres Business Area.
Book Hotels in MadridDistance: 6,962 km (4,326 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 8 hrs 11 min
Departure: ATL (33.6367, -84.428101)
Arrival: MAD (40.471926, -3.56264)
Route Type: International
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