Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Paris to Madrid. While takeoff favors the right for Paris views, the landing approach to Madrid strongly favors left-side seats for the Sierra de Guadarrama mountains and the dramatic descent into the Manzanares valley. The landing experience is more visually rewarding and geographically distinctive than the takeoff.

During takeoff from Orly (ORY), sit on the Right side for the best views. Right-side seats capture the Seine's meanders through central Paris during initial climb. Orly typically departs south or southwest, and right-side views show the river's distinctive loops near Île-de-France before turning toward Madrid. Notable sights include: Seine River with its characteristic bends through Paris, Notre-Dame Cathedral area (small but identifiable), Bois de Vincennes (large green space southeast of central Paris), Fontainebleau Forest visible as dark green mass further south during climb.

When landing at Barajas (MAD), sit on the Left side for the best views. Left-side seats offer views of the Sierra de Guadarrama mountains north of Madrid during descent. Barajas typically lands from the north or northeast, and left-side views show the dramatic mountain backdrop and the Manzanares River valley that defines Madrid's geography. Notable sights include: Sierra de Guadarrama mountain range (snow-capped peaks visible on clear days, forming the northern boundary), Manzanares River valley cutting through the landscape, Madrid's urban sprawl expanding south from the mountains, Retiro Park and Casa de Campo visible as green spaces within the city grid.

The flight from Orly (ORY) to Barajas (MAD) takes Approximately 2 hours 15 minutes.

The flight path crosses the Loire Valley (visible as a broad river valley with scattered towns), then transitions to the Massif Central's rolling plateau terrain. The Pyrenees are not directly on this route but may be visible on the southern horizon in clear conditions. The flight crosses into Spain over the Castilian Plateau, which appears as open, relatively flat agricultural land with sparse vegetation. The Duero River basin is crossed before reaching the approach to Madrid.