Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Madrid to Abu Dhabi. While takeoff offers the Sierra de Guadarrama on the right, the landing view of the Persian Gulf, Hajar Mountains, and Abu Dhabi's unique coastal geography is more visually distinctive and geographically significant. Left side captures the most memorable features of the destination.

During takeoff from Barajas (MAD), sit on the Right side for the best views. Madrid-Barajas typically departs runways 32L/32R (northwest heading). Right-side seats offer views of the Sierra de Guadarrama mountain range as the aircraft climbs, with the snow-capped peaks visible on the horizon during clear conditions. Left side faces the flat Meseta plateau with fewer distinctive features. Notable sights include: Sierra de Guadarrama (northwest, 30 miles distant), Madrid city sprawl receding below, Tagus River valley, Toledo region to the south.

When landing at Abu Dhabi International (AUH), sit on the Left side for the best views. Abu Dhabi International uses runways 31L/31R (northeast heading) for most arrivals. Left-side seats provide views of the Persian Gulf coastline, the Hajar Mountains in Oman across the water, and the intricate pattern of Abu Dhabi's coastal islands and salt flats. Right side faces the inland desert with minimal visual interest. Notable sights include: Persian Gulf (turquoise shallow waters), Hajar Mountains (Oman, across the gulf), Abu Dhabi's coastal salt flats and sabkha (white-gray expanses), Jebel Dhanna peninsula.

The flight from Barajas (MAD) to Abu Dhabi International (AUH) takes Approximately 5 hours 15 minutes.

Flight path crosses the Mediterranean Sea (south of Spain), then the Atlas Mountains of Morocco and Algeria appear as a distant ridge, followed by the Sahara Desert (vast, featureless tan expanse), the Mediterranean coast of North Africa, then over the central Mediterranean toward Libya. The route then crosses the Libyan Desert and approaches the Arabian Peninsula via the Red Sea region, with the Sinai Peninsula visible, before turning southeast toward the Persian Gulf. The Zagros Mountains of Iran appear on the eastern horizon during the final approach phase.