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MAD → LGW
Which side of the plane to sit from Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (Madrid) to London Gatwick Airport (London)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side offers superior views of the French coastline, the historic beaches of Normandy, and a scenic perspective of the English south coast including Brighton during the descent.
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Cantabrian Coastline
The beautiful meeting point of the Basque mountains and the sea near Santander.
Loire Valley
Views of the winding Loire River and the fertile plains of central France.
Normandy Coast
Historical perspective of the D-Day landing beaches and the city of Caen.
Mont Saint-Michel
On clear days, the famous tidal island monastery can be spotted in the distance.
Brighton Seafront
Excellent views of the Brighton Pier and the iconic British seaside as you cross the coast.
This is the 'historical' side of the plane. For morning flights, the sun will be on this side, so bring sunglasses. The highlight is the crossing from France to England; look for the distinct change from the sandy beaches of Normandy to the pebble beaches and white cliffs of the English Channel.
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Sierra de Guadarrama
Dramatic mountain peaks located just north of Madrid shortly after takeoff.
Bay of Biscay
Expansive views of the deep blue Atlantic as the flight leaves the Spanish coast.
Brittany Peninsula
The rugged western tip of France visible as the aircraft heads toward the Channel.
Isle of Wight
A clear view of the diamond-shaped island off the southern coast of England.
Surrey Hills
Lush green landscapes and English estates during the final approach into Gatwick.
Sit on the left for evening flights to catch the sunset over the Atlantic Ocean. This side is also better for spotting the Needles on the Isle of Wight if the flight path tracks slightly west. Keep your window shade open during the first 15 minutes to see the rugged Spanish interior.
Get eSIMs for Spain
Get eSIMs for United KingdomDistance: 1,215 km (755 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 37 min
Departure: MAD (40.471926, -3.56264)
Arrival: LGW (51.148102, -0.190278)
Route Type: International
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