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LAD → MAD
Which side of the plane to sit from Quatro de Fevereiro Airport (Luanda) to Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (Madrid)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side offers a superior view of the dramatic Sahara interior, including the volcanic massifs of Algeria and the final approach over the Spanish Sierras.
Congo Basin Edge
The dense green canopy of the northern Congolese and Gabonese rainforests during the early cruise phase.
Ahaggar Mountains
Stunning volcanic peaks and prehistoric rock formations rising from the desert floor in southern Algeria.
Tassili n'Ajjer
A vast plateau featuring 'forests of rock' and unique sandstone erosions visible from high altitude.
Mediterranean Crossing
The transition from the golden sands of the Maghreb to the deep turquoise of the Mediterranean Sea.
Sierra de Guadarrama
Rugged mountain views north of Madrid during the descent into Barajas Airport.
This side is best for seeing the most rugged parts of the Sahara. On daytime flights, use the window shade periodically to manage the intense desert sun. During the descent into MAD, this side often provides a great view of the airport's distinctive Terminal 4 architecture.
Luanda Bay & Atlantic
Immediate views of the Angolan capital's harbor and the vast South Atlantic coastline upon takeoff.
Gulf of Guinea Coast
Aerial perspectives of the West African tropical coastline and the Niger Delta if the flight path tracks westward.
Grand Erg Occidental
Endless rolling orange sand dunes of the western Algerian Sahara stretching toward the horizon.
High Atlas Mountains
Snow-capped peaks of the Moroccan Atlas ranges visible in the distance during the transition to Europe.
Andalusia & Seville
Entry into Spanish airspace over the Guadalquivir valley and the historic landscapes of southern Spain.
Choose the left side for morning flights to avoid direct glare from the sun. This side is ideal for seeing the sunset over the Atlantic if you are on a late afternoon departure. Keep an eye out for the Strait of Gibraltar as you leave Africa.
Distance: 5,750 km (3,573 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 6 hrs 46 min
Departure: LAD (-8.858369999999999, 13.2312)
Arrival: MAD (40.471926, -3.56264)
Route Type: International
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