MAD (Madrid) window seat guide

At Barajas in Madrid: for takeoff, sit on the Left side; for landing, sit on the Left side. Notable views include: Sierra de Guadarrama mountain range, Madrid city skyline (including tall towers near Chamartín/Cuatro Torres), Manzanares river valley, Barajas airport's own runway complex receding below.

When taking off from Barajas (MAD), sit on the Left side for the best views. Departing north on runway 36L, the left (west) side gives you a great view of the Sierra de Guadarrama mountains rising on the horizon ahead, plus a look back at Madrid's skyline and the Manzanares valley as the aircraft climbs. The right side mostly overlooks flatter, less distinctive plains toward Alcalá de Henares. Notable sights include: Sierra de Guadarrama mountain range, Madrid city skyline (including tall towers near Chamartín/Cuatro Torres), Manzanares river valley, Barajas airport's own runway complex receding below.

When landing at Barajas (MAD), sit on the Left side for the best views. On the typical southern approach into runway 32R, the aircraft tracks north-northwest with Madrid's city center off to the southwest — putting it on the left side of the cabin. Passengers on the left get a good distant view of the Madrid skyline, including the Cuatro Torres business towers, before the plane swings toward Barajas. Notable sights include: Madrid skyline and Cuatro Torres Business Area, Manzanares river corridor, Casa de Campo park, outer suburbs of southern Madrid.

The best window seat at Barajas (MAD) depends on several factors: the typical runway used for your departure or arrival, the geographic features around Madrid (mountains, coastlines, city skylines), weather conditions, and time of day. Morning and evening flights often offer the best lighting for scenic views.