Left side wins both ends of the flight — Madrid's city and mountains on departure, and the full New York Harbor panorama with Manhattan on arrival. Over the Atlantic mid-flight there is little to differentiate sides, but the bookend views make left the clear choice for the whole journey.
Flown MAD to EWR? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Madrid to Newark is 3,597 miles (5,788 km), a flight of about 8 hours 45 minutes.
After crossing the Sierra de Guadarrama and the Cantabrian Mountains of northern Spain, the flight crosses the Bay of Biscay and the coast of Galicia or Portugal depending on routing. The bulk of the flight is over the North Atlantic, typically following a great circle route that passes south of Iceland and Greenland. Depending on the jet stream and NAT track system routing, the flight may pass within visual range of the southern tip of Greenland or the coast of Newfoundland and Nova Scotia before descending toward New York.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from MAD
LEFTBarajas typically departs westbound on runways 32L/32R, then turns northwest toward the Atlantic. The left side gives you a clear view south over central Madrid — the city grid, Casa de Campo park, and the Sierra de Guadarrama rising behind it. Right side faces away toward open meseta.
Landing at EWR
LEFTEWR typically lands on runways 22L/22R or 29, approaching from the northeast or east over New York Harbor. The left side gives you the Manhattan skyline, Upper Bay, and the Statue of Liberty on final approach. Right side faces New Jersey industrial areas and the Meadowlands.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Barajas (MAD) to Newark Liberty International (EWR)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Madrid to Newark. Left side wins both ends of the flight — Madrid's city and mountains on departure, and the full New York Harbor panorama with Manhattan on arrival. Over the Atlantic mid-flight there is little to differentiate sides, but the bookend views make left the clear choice for the whole journey.
What can I see during takeoff from Barajas in Madrid?
During takeoff from Barajas (MAD), sit on the Left side for the best views. Barajas typically departs westbound on runways 32L/32R, then turns northwest toward the Atlantic. The left side gives you a clear view south over central Madrid — the city grid, Casa de Campo park, and the Sierra de Guadarrama rising behind it. Right side faces away toward open meseta. Notable sights include: Central Madrid city grid and Gran Vía corridor, Casa de Campo (large forested park southwest of city), Sierra de Guadarrama mountain range to the northwest, Manzanares River valley.
What can I see when landing at Newark Liberty International in Newark?
When landing at Newark Liberty International (EWR), sit on the Left side for the best views. EWR typically lands on runways 22L/22R or 29, approaching from the northeast or east over New York Harbor. The left side gives you the Manhattan skyline, Upper Bay, and the Statue of Liberty on final approach. Right side faces New Jersey industrial areas and the Meadowlands. Notable sights include: Manhattan skyline (Midtown and Lower Manhattan), New York Upper Bay and the Narrows, Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island, Verrazano-Narrows Bridge.
How long is the flight from Madrid to Newark?
The flight from Barajas (MAD) to Newark Liberty International (EWR) takes about 8 hours 45 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 3,597 miles (5,788 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Madrid to Newark flight path pass over?
After crossing the Sierra de Guadarrama and the Cantabrian Mountains of northern Spain, the flight crosses the Bay of Biscay and the coast of Galicia or Portugal depending on routing. The bulk of the flight is over the North Atlantic, typically following a great circle route that passes south of Iceland and Greenland. Depending on the jet stream and NAT track system routing, the flight may pass within visual range of the southern tip of Greenland or the coast of Newfoundland and Nova Scotia before descending toward New York.