Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Montreal to Brussels. Takeoff views of the St. Lawrence and Laurentian Mountains are more dramatic and geographically distinctive than landing views. The transatlantic flight itself offers limited window interest over the Atlantic (open ocean for 6+ hours), so the departure experience carries more weight.

During takeoff from Montreal International Dorval (YUL), sit on the Left side for the best views. Montreal typically departs westbound (Runway 06L/R or 24L/R depending on wind). Left seats capture the St. Lawrence River valley and the Laurentian Mountains receding northward as you climb. Right seats face the flat suburban sprawl south toward the US border. Notable sights include: St. Lawrence River (flowing east-west below), Laurentian Mountains (northern horizon), Montreal urban core (directly below during initial climb), Île Perrot (visible in river bend to the west).

When landing at Brussels Natl (BRU), sit on the Right side for the best views. Brussels typically lands on Runway 25L/R (westerly approach) or 07L/R (easterly). On a westerly approach, right seats face north toward the Meuse River valley and Belgian Ardennes plateau. On an easterly approach, right seats capture the flat Flanders plain and approach over the Scheldt River system. Either way, right offers more varied terrain than the monotonous western plain. Notable sights include: Meuse River valley (northern approach corridor), Belgian Ardennes plateau (distant ridgeline), Flanders agricultural grid (flat patchwork below), Brussels-Zaventem airport complex (final descent).

The flight from Montreal International Dorval (YUL) to Brussels Natl (BRU) takes Approximately 7 hours 15 minutes.

After clearing the Laurentians, the flight crosses the Canadian Shield (featureless boreal forest), then the Atlantic Ocean for roughly 6 hours with occasional iceberg fields visible in spring/early summer near Newfoundland. Approaching Europe, the flight passes over southern Ireland and Wales (if on a southern routing) or over the UK and North Sea (if on a northern routing). The Irish coast and Welsh mountains are occasionally visible on clear days 2-3 hours before Brussels arrival, but most of the transatlantic leg offers only water and cloud cover.