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MAD → LYS
Which side of the plane to sit from Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (Madrid) to Lyon Saint-Exupéry Airport (Lyon)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers a superior view of the high Pyrenees mountain range and a better angle of the Lyon city center and the river confluence during the standard descent into LYS.
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Castilian Meseta
The high plateau of central Spain, featuring deep red soils and geometric farmland patterns immediately after takeoff.
Central Pyrenees
Breathtaking close-up views of the highest peaks in the range, including the glacier-capped Aneto.
Massif Central
The ancient volcanic heart of France, offering views of the rugged Cévennes and the highlands of the Ardèche.
Lyon City Center
As the plane descends, you can often see the historic Presqu'île and the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière.
Choose a seat in front of the wing to avoid engine heat distortion for the best photos of the Pyrenees. For evening flights, this side will catch the sunset over the French countryside. If the flight lands from the north, you will have a direct view of the Rhône and Saône rivers meeting.
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Alcalá de Henares
A UNESCO World Heritage city and the birthplace of Cervantes, visible shortly after departing from Madrid.
Mediterranean Horizon
Distant glimpses of the shimmering Gulf of Lion and the coastline of southern France to the far east.
The French Alps
On clear days, the massive, snow-capped silhouette of Mont Blanc is visible in the distance during the final approach.
Rhône Valley
Lush landscapes and world-famous vineyards that line the river valley as you enter the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.
The right side is ideal for morning flights to avoid the direct glare of the sun. Keep your eyes on the horizon during the final 20 minutes of the flight; the view of the Alps, while distant, is spectacular on a clear day. Look for the distinctive 'dent de Crolles' mountain peak as you enter French airspace.
Book Hotels in LyonDistance: 912 km (567 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 31 min
Departure: MAD (40.471926, -3.56264)
Arrival: LYS (45.725556, 5.081111)
Route Type: International
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