Left side wins both ends of the flight. During the long cruise over Central Asia and China, the left side also faces generally south, giving better views of the Tibetan Plateau's northern escarpment and the Gobi Desert terrain. Right side has little advantage at any stage of this routing.
Flown MAD to NRT? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Madrid to Tokyo is 6,692 miles (10,770 km), a flight of about 13 hours 30 minutes.
The route tracks northeast over the Pyrenees, southern France, then across the Alps into southern Germany and Poland. It then crosses Ukraine or Belarus airspace (subject to current restrictions, routing may divert north over Scandinavia and Russia), passes over western Siberia, descends across Mongolia and northeastern China including the Gobi Desert margins, then crosses the Yellow Sea before entering Japanese airspace over Honshu.
Great circle distance and headings ›
Phase by phase
Takeoff from MAD
LEFTBarajas typically departs eastbound on runways 32L/32R or 18L/18R depending on wind. On a northeast-bound departure toward Asia, the left side gives you a clear view south over Madrid city center, the Casa de Campo park, and the Manzanares river valley. The Sierra de Guadarrama range rises prominently to the northwest on the left side as you climb out.
Landing at NRT
LEFTNRT approaches from the east or south depending on runway configuration. On the common RWY 34L/34R approach from the south, the left side faces east over the Pacific coastline of Chiba Prefecture and Tokyo Bay. You get a clear view of the bay, the urban density of Chiba and eastern Tokyo, and on clear days the Boso Peninsula coastline.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Barajas (MAD) to New Tokyo International (NRT)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Madrid to Tokyo. Left side wins both ends of the flight. During the long cruise over Central Asia and China, the left side also faces generally south, giving better views of the Tibetan Plateau's northern escarpment and the Gobi Desert terrain. Right side has little advantage at any stage of this routing.
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 eastbound on runways 32L/32R or 18L/18R depending on wind. On a northeast-bound departure toward Asia, the left side gives you a clear view south over Madrid city center, the Casa de Campo park, and the Manzanares river valley. The Sierra de Guadarrama range rises prominently to the northwest on the left side as you climb out. Notable sights include: Sierra de Guadarrama (snow-capped ridge to the northwest), Madrid city grid and Gran Via corridor below, Casa de Campo park (large forested area southwest of center), Manzanares river valley.
What can I see when landing at New Tokyo International in Tokyo?
When landing at New Tokyo International (NRT), sit on the Left side for the best views. NRT approaches from the east or south depending on runway configuration. On the common RWY 34L/34R approach from the south, the left side faces east over the Pacific coastline of Chiba Prefecture and Tokyo Bay. You get a clear view of the bay, the urban density of Chiba and eastern Tokyo, and on clear days the Boso Peninsula coastline. Notable sights include: Tokyo Bay (broad inlet visible to the south), Chiba city urban sprawl, Boso Peninsula coastline, Narita city and surrounding agricultural patchwork directly below.
How long is the flight from Madrid to Tokyo?
The flight from Barajas (MAD) to New Tokyo International (NRT) takes about 13 hours 30 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 6,692 miles (10,770 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Madrid to Tokyo flight path pass over?
The route tracks northeast over the Pyrenees, southern France, then across the Alps into southern Germany and Poland. It then crosses Ukraine or Belarus airspace (subject to current restrictions, routing may divert north over Scandinavia and Russia), passes over western Siberia, descends across Mongolia and northeastern China including the Gobi Desert margins, then crosses the Yellow Sea before entering Japanese airspace over Honshu.