Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Panama City to Madrid. Takeoff views of the Panama Canal and Gatun Lake are more dramatic and geographically distinctive than Madrid's landing approach. The canal is a unique engineering landmark visible only from this departure, whereas Madrid's approach is primarily urban sprawl and plateau.

During takeoff from Tocumen International (PTY), sit on the Right side for the best views. PTY typically departs eastbound on Runway 03 or westbound on Runway 21. Right-side seats offer views of the Panama Canal and Gatun Lake during the initial climb, which are the most distinctive features visible from low altitude around Panama City. Notable sights include: Panama Canal (Gatun Locks visible from ~3,000-5,000 ft), Gatun Lake, Panama City skyline to the southwest, Caribbean coastline to the north.

When landing at Barajas (MAD), sit on the Left side for the best views. MAD typically lands on Runway 32L or 32R (both northeast-facing). Left-side seats during descent provide views of the Spanish Meseta plateau, the Sierra de Guadarrama mountains to the north, and the approach over central Madrid's urban sprawl, which are the most visually distinctive features. Notable sights include: Sierra de Guadarrama (northern mountain range), Madrid urban area and Manzanares River valley, Spanish Meseta plateau, Barajas Airport runways and taxiways.

The flight from Tocumen International (PTY) to Barajas (MAD) takes Approximately 9.5 to 10.5 hours.

Over the Atlantic, the flight path crosses the Caribbean basin, then the open Atlantic north of the Bahamas and Bermuda region (though these remain south of the typical routing). The route then approaches the Iberian Peninsula from the southwest, passing over Portugal's Alentejo region and the Tagus River valley before reaching Madrid. No major mountain ranges or dramatic landmarks are visible during the mid-Atlantic portion; the Atlantic crossing offers primarily ocean and occasional cloud formations.