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MAD → SSA
Which side of the plane to sit from Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (Madrid) to Deputado Luiz Eduardo Magalhães International Airport (Salvador)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers a superior perspective of the Spanish interior after takeoff and, most importantly, the stunning coastal approach into Salvador, showcasing the city's historic peninsula and the turquoise waters of the Atlantic.
Madrid Metropolis
Aerial views of the Spanish capital's grid and the Four Towers Business Area shortly after departure from Barajas.
Castilian Plateau
The expansive, golden-hued plains of Meseta Central as the flight heads southwest toward the Portuguese border.
Strait of Gibraltar
On clear days, the distant silhouette of the North African coast and the gateway to the Mediterranean are visible to the southeast.
Bahian Coastline
The first glimpse of Brazil's 'Discovery Coast', featuring long stretches of white sand and coral reefs.
Salvador Peninsula
A breathtaking view of the Upper and Lower city, including the historic Pelourinho district, during the final approach.
Sit on the left to avoid the direct afternoon sun during the southbound journey across the Atlantic. For daytime flights, this side provides the best lighting for photography of the Brazilian coast. Keep your camera ready about 20 minutes before landing to capture the Farol da Barra lighthouse.
Sierra de Gredos
The rugged, often snow-capped peaks west of Madrid provide a dramatic backdrop during the initial climb.
Canary Islands
Depending on the specific airway, you may see the volcanic silhouette of Teide on Tenerife or the circular shape of Gran Canaria.
Equatorial Clouds
Spectacular towering cumulonimbus formations typical of the Intertropical Convergence Zone over the Atlantic.
Baía de Todos os Santos
The massive Bay of All Saints, the largest in Brazil, is visible if the aircraft loops west for a runway 10 approach.
Atlantic Sunset
On late afternoon arrivals, the right side treats passengers to a vibrant sunset over the ocean horizon.
The right side is ideal for spotting the Canary Islands if the flight path tracks further west. During the final descent into SSA, if the wind requires an approach from the west, you will get a panoramic view of the vast bay and the island of Itaparica.
Distance: 6,932 km (4,307 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 8 hrs 9 min
Departure: MAD (40.471926, -3.56264)
Arrival: SSA (-12.9086112976, -38.3224983215)
Route Type: International
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