Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Madrid to Frankfurt. Left side wins at both ends of the flight. Over the Pyrenees and southern France the left side also faces generally east giving views of the Rhone valley and French Alps on the horizon during cruise, making it the stronger choice for the full journey.

During takeoff from Barajas (MAD), sit on the Left side for the best views. Barajas typically departs northeast on runways 32L/32R or 36L/36R. A left-side seat gives you a view back over central Madrid as you climb out, with the city grid and Casa de Campo park clearly visible. The Sierra de Guadarrama rises to the northwest and comes into view on the left as you turn onto a northeasterly heading. Notable sights include: Madrid city center and Retiro Park, Casa de Campo reservoir, Sierra de Guadarrama range to the northwest, Jarama river valley below the airport.

When landing at Frankfurt Main (FRA), sit on the Left side for the best views. Frankfurt typically lands from the west on runways 25L/25C/25R, meaning the approach track runs east to west over the Rhine-Main region. A left-side seat on final approach gives a clear view south toward the Frankfurt skyline, the Main river, and the Rhine confluence near Mainz. The Taunus hills are visible to the north on the right side but the city and river views on the left are more dramatic. Notable sights include: Frankfurt city skyline and Bankenviertel towers, Main river bending through the city, Rhine river and Mainz confluence to the southwest, Sachsenhausen district south of the Main.

The flight from Barajas (MAD) to Frankfurt Main (FRA) takes Approximately 2 hours 45 minutes to 3 hours.

The Pyrenees crossing near the eastern passes, the Ebro valley in northeastern Spain, the Massif Central plateau of southern France, the Rhone-Saone corridor through Burgundy, and the Rhine plain of Alsace before entering German airspace near Strasbourg