The right side offers modest but genuine bookend scenery — the Dallas skyline at departure and the Guadarrama mountains framing Madrid at arrival — while both sides share the same featureless mid-Atlantic cruise, making the right side's terminal views the deciding factor.
Flight Path
North Atlantic Ocean, with the flight path passing north of the Azores and occasionally within sight of the Iberian coastline near Galicia before descending into central Spain
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from DFW
RIGHTDeparting DFW eastbound, the right side offers a brief glimpse of the Dallas downtown skyline and the White Rock Lake area before the aircraft climbs over the flat North Texas plains. The left side only shows suburban sprawl and farmland with no distinguishing features.
Landing at MAD
RIGHTOn approach into Madrid from the south in the common north-flow configuration, the right side of the aircraft faces north toward the Sierra de Guadarrama mountains rising behind the city, giving a dramatic backdrop as Madrid's skyline and the Barajas terminals come into view. The left side mostly shows flat Castilian plains.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Dallas Fort Worth International (DFW) to Barajas (MAD)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Dallas-Fort Worth to Madrid. The right side offers modest but genuine bookend scenery — the Dallas skyline at departure and the Guadarrama mountains framing Madrid at arrival — while both sides share the same featureless mid-Atlantic cruise, making the right side's terminal views the deciding factor.
What can I see during takeoff from Dallas Fort Worth International in Dallas-Fort Worth?
During takeoff from Dallas Fort Worth International (DFW), sit on the Right side for the best views. Departing DFW eastbound, the right side offers a brief glimpse of the Dallas downtown skyline and the White Rock Lake area before the aircraft climbs over the flat North Texas plains. The left side only shows suburban sprawl and farmland with no distinguishing features. Notable sights include: Dallas downtown skyline, White Rock Lake, Trinity River, North Texas farmland grid.
What can I see when landing at Barajas in Madrid?
When landing at Barajas (MAD), sit on the Right side for the best views. On approach into Madrid from the south in the common north-flow configuration, the right side of the aircraft faces north toward the Sierra de Guadarrama mountains rising behind the city, giving a dramatic backdrop as Madrid's skyline and the Barajas terminals come into view. The left side mostly shows flat Castilian plains. Notable sights include: Sierra de Guadarrama, Madrid skyline (Cuatro Torres towers), Jarama River, Barajas terminal complex.
How long is the flight from Dallas-Fort Worth to Madrid?
The flight from Dallas Fort Worth International (DFW) to Barajas (MAD) takes 9h 15m.
What does the Dallas-Fort Worth to Madrid flight path pass over?
North Atlantic Ocean, with the flight path passing north of the Azores and occasionally within sight of the Iberian coastline near Galicia before descending into central Spain