About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Schiphol (AMS) to Saint Exupery (LYS)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Amsterdam to Lyon. The left side wins overall because while the right side has the better Schiphol departure view, the left side delivers the more dramatic and sustained scenery: as the flight tracks south-southeast through France, the left side progressively reveals the Burgundy landscape, and on descent into Lyon it captures the city's famous river confluence and the distant Alps. The right side at departure is good but brief.
What can I see during takeoff from Schiphol in Amsterdam?
During takeoff from Schiphol (AMS), sit on the Right side for the best views. Schiphol typically departs southbound on runway 18R or 18C, meaning the right side faces west over the North Sea coast and the distinctive Dutch polders and waterways. You get clear views of the Haarlemmermeer polder, the coastal dune strip, and the IJmeer to the northeast receding behind you. Notable sights include: Haarlemmermeer polder grid, North Sea coastline dunes, Amsterdam city center to the northeast, IJmeer lake.
What can I see when landing at Saint Exupery in Lyon?
When landing at Saint Exupery (LYS), sit on the Left side for the best views. Lyon Saint-Exupéry sits east of Lyon and aircraft typically approach from the north or west on runway 36L/36R or 18 depending on wind. On a southbound approach from AMS, the left side gives views over Lyon city center, the Rhône and Saône river confluence, and the Croix-Rousse hill. The Alps are visible to the east on both sides but the left side captures the urban geography of Lyon more directly. Notable sights include: Lyon city center and Presqu'île peninsula, Rhône and Saône river confluence, Croix-Rousse hillside, Mont Blanc massif on the far eastern horizon.
How long is the flight from Amsterdam to Lyon?
The flight from Schiphol (AMS) to Saint Exupery (LYS) takes Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.
What does the Amsterdam to Lyon flight path pass over?
The flight tracks south-southeast over Belgium, clipping eastern France through Champagne and Burgundy. Visible features include the flat agricultural plains of northern France, the Burgundy wine region hills around Dijon becoming visible as gentle rolling terrain, and the Saône river valley appearing as a broad flat corridor leading south toward Lyon. The Jura mountains become faintly visible to the southeast in the final 30 minutes of flight.