Madrid to Dubai flight path: MAD to DXB

Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Madrid to Dubai. While takeoff favors the left side for the Guadarrama mountains, the right side wins overall because of a richer, more varied cruise phase over the Mediterranean and Greek islands and a spectacular Dubai coastline arrival with Palm Jumeirah and the Marina skyline.

During takeoff from Barajas (MAD), sit on the Left side for the best views. Departing Barajas in the usual north configuration, the climb-out gives left-side passengers a view toward the Sierra de Guadarrama, the jagged granite range that rims Madrid to the northwest. The right side only shows the flat, monotonous Meseta plateau stretching toward La Alcarria. Notable sights include: Sierra de Guadarrama, Madrid's northern suburbs, Jarama river valley.

When landing at Dubai International (DXB), sit on the Right side for the best views. On approach into Dubai from the northwest over the Gulf, right-side windows catch the turquoise Persian Gulf waters, the fan-shaped Palm Jumeirah, and the dense Dubai Marina and Burj Khalifa skyline as the aircraft banks toward the runway. The left side mostly shows featureless desert on the approach. Notable sights include: Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina towers, Burj Khalifa skyline, Persian Gulf coastline.

The flight from Barajas (MAD) to Dubai International (DXB) takes about 6 hours 45 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 3,511 miles (5,650 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.

The great-circle route crosses the western Mediterranean, passes near Sardinia and Sicily, continues over the Ionian Sea and southern Greece or Crete, then traverses the eastern Mediterranean and northern Egypt or the Sinai Peninsula before crossing the Arabian desert toward the Persian Gulf.