The left side wins overall because while the right side has the better Schiphol departure view, the left side delivers the more dramatic scenery during the bulk of the flight — the Rhine valley crossing in Germany, the Vosges and Black Forest ridgelines, and the spectacular Alpine approach into Malpensa with Lake Maggiore. The left side faces east-southeast for most of the route, which is where the terrain is.
Flown AMS to MXP? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Amsterdam to Milano is 495 miles (797 km), a flight of about 1 hour 55 minutes.
The route crosses the Rhine valley near Cologne or Koblenz, then tracks over the Eifel/Ardennes plateau, crosses into Germany over the Saarland, passes near the Vosges mountains on the French-German border, crosses the Black Forest (Schwarzwald) ridgeline in Baden-Württemberg, then descends over the Swiss Mittelland and enters Italian airspace over the southern Alps before the Po Valley approach into Malpensa.
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from AMS
RIGHTSchiphol typically departs southbound on runway 18R/18C, meaning the right side faces west over the North Sea coast and the distinctive polder landscape of South Holland. You get clear views of the flat Dutch countryside, greenhouse clusters, and the coastline near Katwijk and Noordwijk before the aircraft turns southeast.
Landing at MXP
LEFTMalpensa typically lands on runway 35L/35R approaching from the south, so the left side faces east toward the Alps and the Po Valley. As you descend you get a panoramic view of the southern Alpine foothills, Lake Maggiore, and the broad flat Po Plain stretching toward Milan.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Schiphol (AMS) to Malpensa (MXP)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Amsterdam to Milano. The left side wins overall because while the right side has the better Schiphol departure view, the left side delivers the more dramatic scenery during the bulk of the flight — the Rhine valley crossing in Germany, the Vosges and Black Forest ridgelines, and the spectacular Alpine approach into Malpensa with Lake Maggiore. The left side faces east-southeast for most of the route, which is where the terrain is.
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/18C, meaning the right side faces west over the North Sea coast and the distinctive polder landscape of South Holland. You get clear views of the flat Dutch countryside, greenhouse clusters, and the coastline near Katwijk and Noordwijk before the aircraft turns southeast. Notable sights include: Katwijk/Noordwijk coastline, South Holland greenhouse districts (visible as glinting glass panels), Haarlemmermeer polder grid, Amsterdam city outline to the northeast.
What can I see when landing at Malpensa in Milano?
When landing at Malpensa (MXP), sit on the Left side for the best views. Malpensa typically lands on runway 35L/35R approaching from the south, so the left side faces east toward the Alps and the Po Valley. As you descend you get a panoramic view of the southern Alpine foothills, Lake Maggiore, and the broad flat Po Plain stretching toward Milan. Notable sights include: Lake Maggiore (Lago Maggiore), southern Alpine foothills, Po Valley flatlands, Ticino river valley.
How long is the flight from Amsterdam to Milano?
The flight from Schiphol (AMS) to Malpensa (MXP) takes about 1 hour 55 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 495 miles (797 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Amsterdam to Milano flight path pass over?
The route crosses the Rhine valley near Cologne or Koblenz, then tracks over the Eifel/Ardennes plateau, crosses into Germany over the Saarland, passes near the Vosges mountains on the French-German border, crosses the Black Forest (Schwarzwald) ridgeline in Baden-Württemberg, then descends over the Swiss Mittelland and enters Italian airspace over the southern Alps before the Po Valley approach into Malpensa.