The left side wins overall thanks to a scenic double feature: Lake Balaton and the Budapest skyline at departure, and dramatic Alpine foothills with Lake Maggiore on arrival, while the right side offers mostly flat, unremarkable plains throughout.
Flown BUD to MXP? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Budapest to Milano is 515 miles (830 km), a flight of about 1 hour 25 minutes.
Julian Alps foothills near the Slovenia-Italy border, the Po Valley's flat agricultural plain, and scattered lakes at the base of the southern Alps
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from BUD
LEFTDeparting BUD to the northwest before turning southwest toward Italy, passengers on the left get a good look back over Budapest's Danube bend and the city skyline, then see Lake Balaton's long shoreline as the aircraft climbs westbound. The right side shows only the flat Hungarian plain.
Landing at MXP
LEFTOn approach into Malpensa from the east, the descent path skirts the southern edge of the Alps, and the left side offers clear views of jagged snow-capped peaks including the Alpine foothills near Lake Maggiore before the final turn over the Lombardy plain. The right side mostly shows flat farmland northeast of Milan.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Ferihegy (BUD) to Malpensa (MXP)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Budapest to Milano. The left side wins overall thanks to a scenic double feature: Lake Balaton and the Budapest skyline at departure, and dramatic Alpine foothills with Lake Maggiore on arrival, while the right side offers mostly flat, unremarkable plains throughout.
What can I see during takeoff from Ferihegy in Budapest?
During takeoff from Ferihegy (BUD), sit on the Left side for the best views. Departing BUD to the northwest before turning southwest toward Italy, passengers on the left get a good look back over Budapest's Danube bend and the city skyline, then see Lake Balaton's long shoreline as the aircraft climbs westbound. The right side shows only the flat Hungarian plain. Notable sights include: Danube River and Budapest skyline, Lake Balaton, Hungarian plain.
What can I see when landing at Malpensa in Milano?
When landing at Malpensa (MXP), sit on the Left side for the best views. On approach into Malpensa from the east, the descent path skirts the southern edge of the Alps, and the left side offers clear views of jagged snow-capped peaks including the Alpine foothills near Lake Maggiore before the final turn over the Lombardy plain. The right side mostly shows flat farmland northeast of Milan. Notable sights include: Alpine foothills, Lake Maggiore, Lombardy plain, Milan's outer suburbs.
How long is the flight from Budapest to Milano?
The flight from Ferihegy (BUD) to Malpensa (MXP) takes about 1 hour 25 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 515 miles (830 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Budapest to Milano flight path pass over?
Julian Alps foothills near the Slovenia-Italy border, the Po Valley's flat agricultural plain, and scattered lakes at the base of the southern Alps