Left side wins both ends of the flight. At takeoff you get the full San Francisco Bay panorama, and on landing into Madrid you overlook the city and the Sierra de Guadarrama. The transatlantic cruise at 35,000 feet over the North Atlantic offers little to see on either side, so the departure and arrival views are what matter most.
Flown SFO to MAD? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
San Francisco to Madrid is 5,797 miles (9,330 km), a flight of about 11 hours 30 minutes.
The great circle route from SFO to MAD tracks north over the Pacific coast, crosses northern Canada near Hudson Bay, passes over Greenland's ice sheet and southern tip, crosses the North Atlantic, and enters Europe over northern Portugal or the Bay of Biscay before crossing the Iberian meseta to Madrid. Greenland's ice cap and coastal fjords are the most dramatic midpoint feature if visible through cloud cover.
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from SFO
LEFTSFO typically departs westward over the Bay on runways 28L/28R, then turns north. Left side gets San Francisco city skyline, the Bay Bridge, and Alcatraz clearly visible before the aircraft heads out over the Pacific. Right side faces south toward the Peninsula with less dramatic scenery.
Landing at MAD
LEFTMadrid Barajas typically lands from the east on runways 32L/32R or from the south on 18L/18R. On the common northwesterly approach, the left side looks southwest over central Madrid, with the city grid, Casa de Campo park, and the Sierra de Guadarrama mountains visible to the northwest. Right side faces northeast toward flat Castilian meseta with little of interest.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from San Francisco International (SFO) to Barajas (MAD)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from San Francisco to Madrid. Left side wins both ends of the flight. At takeoff you get the full San Francisco Bay panorama, and on landing into Madrid you overlook the city and the Sierra de Guadarrama. The transatlantic cruise at 35,000 feet over the North Atlantic offers little to see on either side, so the departure and arrival views are what matter most.
What can I see during takeoff from San Francisco International in San Francisco?
During takeoff from San Francisco International (SFO), sit on the Left side for the best views. SFO typically departs westward over the Bay on runways 28L/28R, then turns north. Left side gets San Francisco city skyline, the Bay Bridge, and Alcatraz clearly visible before the aircraft heads out over the Pacific. Right side faces south toward the Peninsula with less dramatic scenery. Notable sights include: San Francisco skyline and downtown, Bay Bridge, Alcatraz Island, Marin Headlands and Golden Gate Bridge.
What can I see when landing at Barajas in Madrid?
When landing at Barajas (MAD), sit on the Left side for the best views. Madrid Barajas typically lands from the east on runways 32L/32R or from the south on 18L/18R. On the common northwesterly approach, the left side looks southwest over central Madrid, with the city grid, Casa de Campo park, and the Sierra de Guadarrama mountains visible to the northwest. Right side faces northeast toward flat Castilian meseta with little of interest. Notable sights include: Madrid city center and Gran Via corridor, Casa de Campo park, Sierra de Guadarrama mountain range, Manzanares River valley.
How long is the flight from San Francisco to Madrid?
The flight from San Francisco International (SFO) to Barajas (MAD) takes about 11 hours 30 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 5,797 miles (9,330 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the San Francisco to Madrid flight path pass over?
The great circle route from SFO to MAD tracks north over the Pacific coast, crosses northern Canada near Hudson Bay, passes over Greenland's ice sheet and southern tip, crosses the North Atlantic, and enters Europe over northern Portugal or the Bay of Biscay before crossing the Iberian meseta to Madrid. Greenland's ice cap and coastal fjords are the most dramatic midpoint feature if visible through cloud cover.