Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Sao Paulo to Madrid. Left seats capture the dramatic Sierra de Guadarrama approach into Madrid, which is the most visually distinctive feature of the descent. Takeoff views are comparable on both sides, but the landing advantage on the left outweighs the marginal takeoff benefit on the right.

During takeoff from Guarulhos (GRU), sit on the Right side for the best views. GRU typically departs eastbound on runways 09L/09R. Right-side seats face north toward the Atlantic approach corridor and capture the urban sprawl of greater São Paulo receding southward, plus the escarpment edge of the Serra da Mantiqueira in the distance. Notable sights include: Serra da Mantiqueira (distant ridge to the northwest), Tietê River valley (winding through the city below), Greater São Paulo metropolitan grid (sprawling urban fabric), Atlantic coastal plain (hazy horizon to the northeast).

When landing at Barajas (MAD), sit on the Left side for the best views. Madrid typically lands on runways 32L/32R (southwest approach). Left-side seats descend toward the Tagus River valley and capture the Sierra de Guadarrama mountains to the north and the city's northern districts, plus the distinctive Barajas airport layout itself. Notable sights include: Sierra de Guadarrama (snow-capped peaks to the north, seasonal), Tagus River valley (broad river corridor southwest of the city), Madrid city center and northern suburbs (urban sprawl), Barajas airport runways and taxiways (geometric precision below).

The flight from Guarulhos (GRU) to Barajas (MAD) takes Approximately 9 hours 45 minutes to 10 hours 30 minutes.

The flight crosses the Atlantic at roughly 35,000 feet with no visible landmarks for approximately 6 hours. The Azores archipelago lies south of the typical great-circle route and is rarely visible. Over the Iberian Peninsula approach, the Portuguese coast becomes visible roughly 1.5 hours before Madrid, followed by the Tagus River valley and eventually the Sierra de Guadarrama and Meseta Central plateau.