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MAD → LAX
Which side of the plane to sit from Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (Madrid) to Los Angeles International Airport (Los Angeles)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side is the preferred choice for this westbound journey. It offers the best lighting conditions as the sun remains to the south (left) throughout the day, preventing glare and providing clear views of Greenland's ice sheets and the rugged Canadian wilderness.
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Greenland Ice Sheet
Stunning views of glaciers and fjords if the flight path tracks north of 60 degrees.
Hudson Bay
The massive expanse of the Canadian inland sea, often dotted with ice floes.
Canadian Rockies
Snow-capped peaks and high-altitude wilderness as you enter Western North America.
Great Salt Lake
The unique colors and salt crusts of Utah's most famous geographic feature.
San Gabriel Mountains
The rugged mountain range that defines the northern border of the LA basin.
This side offers superior photography opportunities because you are looking away from the sun. Greenland is usually visible 4.5 to 6 hours after takeoff from Madrid. For the best views of the approach into LAX, including the Hollywood sign and the San Fernando Valley, the right side is consistently better.
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Atlantic Ocean
Deep blue vistas of the North Atlantic shortly after leaving the Spanish coast.
Canadian Prairies
The geometric patterns of agricultural fields across Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
Mojave Desert
The dramatic, arid landscapes of the American Southwest during the final descent.
Downtown LA
Bird's-eye views of the Los Angeles skyscraper cluster depending on the landing pattern.
The sun will be positioned on this side of the aircraft for most of the flight, which can cause significant glare and heat. Close your window shade during the mid-flight ocean crossing to keep the cabin cool, but open it as you cross the Colorado River to see the desert formations.
Get eSIMs for Spain
Get eSIMs for United StatesDistance: 9,387 km (5,833 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 11 hrs 3 min
Departure: MAD (40.471926, -3.56264)
Arrival: LAX (33.94250107, -118.4079971)
Route Type: International
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