Lisbon to Zurich flight path: LIS to ZRH

Sit on the right side of the plane

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Flight time2h 30m
Distance1,071
Heading050° → 062°
Best side
RightMostly right
★ 3.0 left·★ 3.5 right

The right side captures the spectacular Lisbon departure over the Tagus and city, and during the cruise over Spain the right side also faces south toward the Sierra de Guadarrama and later the Pyrenees foothills. The landing view of the Alps is better on the left, but the takeoff spectacle and mid-flight Iberian terrain on the right edge it out overall.

Flown LIS to ZRH? Did we get it right?

Flight Path

Flight path overview

Lisbon to Zurich is 1,071 miles (1,723 km), a flight of about 2 hours 30 minutes.

The route tracks northeast over the Spanish Meseta, crossing the Sierra de Guadarrama north of Madrid, then over the Ebro basin and the southern Pyrenees foothills near Zaragoza, before crossing into southern France over the Languedoc plain and then the Jura plateau into Switzerland. The Pyrenees are visible as a distant east-west ridge during the crossing of northeastern Spain.

Great circle distance and headings ›

Phase by phase

Aerial window seat view during takeoff from Lisbon (right side) — 25 de Abril Bridge, Tagus estuary mouth, Lisbon city center and Alfama hillside, Cristo Rei statue on the south bank

Takeoff from LIS

RIGHT

Lisbon's primary departure runway 21 sends aircraft southwestward over the Tagus estuary. The right side gives you the city of Lisbon itself, the 25 de Abril Bridge, and the wide mouth of the Tagus opening into the Atlantic. The left side faces industrial Barreiro and flat southern bank terrain.

25 de Abril BridgeTagus estuary mouthLisbon city center and Alfama hillsideCristo Rei statue on the south bank
LIS LisboaHub for TAP Air Portugal
Aerial window seat view during landing at Zurich (left side) — Lake Zurich, Swiss Alps southern horizon (Glarus Alps, Säntis), Lake Greifen, Zurich city center and Limmat valley

Landing at ZRH

LEFT

Zurich typically uses runway 14 or 28 depending on wind. On the common eastward approach to runway 14, aircraft track over the Swiss Mittelland from the west, and the left side faces south toward the Alps — the Glarus Alps and Säntis massif are clearly visible on the horizon. The right side looks north toward Germany and the Jura foothills, which are far less dramatic.

Lake ZurichSwiss Alps southern horizon (Glarus AlpsSäntis)Lake Greifen
ZRH ZurichHub for Swiss International Air Lines, Edelweiss Air

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About This Route

Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Lisboa (LIS) to Zurich (ZRH)?

Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Lisbon to Zurich. The right side captures the spectacular Lisbon departure over the Tagus and city, and during the cruise over Spain the right side also faces south toward the Sierra de Guadarrama and later the Pyrenees foothills. The landing view of the Alps is better on the left, but the takeoff spectacle and mid-flight Iberian terrain on the right edge it out overall.

What can I see during takeoff from Lisboa in Lisbon?

During takeoff from Lisboa (LIS), sit on the Right side for the best views. Lisbon's primary departure runway 21 sends aircraft southwestward over the Tagus estuary. The right side gives you the city of Lisbon itself, the 25 de Abril Bridge, and the wide mouth of the Tagus opening into the Atlantic. The left side faces industrial Barreiro and flat southern bank terrain. Notable sights include: 25 de Abril Bridge, Tagus estuary mouth, Lisbon city center and Alfama hillside, Cristo Rei statue on the south bank.

What can I see when landing at Zurich in Zurich?

When landing at Zurich (ZRH), sit on the Left side for the best views. Zurich typically uses runway 14 or 28 depending on wind. On the common eastward approach to runway 14, aircraft track over the Swiss Mittelland from the west, and the left side faces south toward the Alps — the Glarus Alps and Säntis massif are clearly visible on the horizon. The right side looks north toward Germany and the Jura foothills, which are far less dramatic. Notable sights include: Lake Zurich, Swiss Alps southern horizon (Glarus Alps, Säntis), Lake Greifen, Zurich city center and Limmat valley.

How long is the flight from Lisbon to Zurich?

The flight from Lisboa (LIS) to Zurich (ZRH) takes about 2 hours 30 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 1,071 miles (1,723 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.

What does the Lisbon to Zurich flight path pass over?

The route tracks northeast over the Spanish Meseta, crossing the Sierra de Guadarrama north of Madrid, then over the Ebro basin and the southern Pyrenees foothills near Zaragoza, before crossing into southern France over the Languedoc plain and then the Jura plateau into Switzerland. The Pyrenees are visible as a distant east-west ridge during the crossing of northeastern Spain.