FNC to LIS: which side of the plane should you sit on?
Funchal (FNC) to Lisbon (LIS) is a 965 km (600 mi), roughly 1h 38m northbound flight. Here is where the sun sits along that path, computed with the same astronomy as our live calculator.
On most daytime FNC to LIS departures the sun favors the right side — sit on the left (an A seat) for shade.
Sun side by season and departure time
| Season | Morning (8 am) | Midday (1 pm) | Evening (6 pm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| March equinox | Right | Right | Left |
| June solstice | Right | Right | Left |
| September equinox | Right | Right | Left |
| December solstice | Right | Right | Left |
What you’ll see on this flight
Views are neutral here, so the scenery does not decide the seat. The left side is the shade side, and that is the better call.
You get island and coast views on this flight, but they don’t pick a side. The shade advice does: sit left for softer light on a daytime trip.
Takeoff
After takeoff from Funchal, depending on the runway in use, you may see Madeira Island and Pico Ruivo on the left as you climb. Porto Santo can sit nearly under the aircraft about 6 minutes in, so it flashes by quickly on the right.
Landing
On descent into Lisbon, depending on the runway in use, Cabo da Roca comes into view on the left about 96 minutes in. It is a quick coastal look before landing.
Sides and timings are computed from this route’s geometry. What you actually see depends on weather, air-traffic routing, and the runway in use on the day.
Frequently asked
Which side of the plane avoids the sun from FNC to LIS?
Across typical daytime departures, the sun predominantly hits the right side of the aircraft, so the left side stays shadier. Seat letters start at the left window, so choose an A seat.
Which side has the sunset views on FNC to LIS flights?
For sunset views, flip the advice: on evening departures the sun sits on the left side of this route, so that is the side with the show.
How long is the flight from FNC to LIS?
The great-circle distance is 965 km (600 mi), which works out to roughly 1h 38m in the air on this northbound routing. Winds and routing move the real block time around that estimate.
Does the date or departure time change the answer?
Yes — that is why the table shows both. The sun's path shifts with the season, and a morning departure can put the glare on the opposite side compared to an evening one. For a specific flight, the calculator samples the sun along the whole route for your exact date and time.
Which side should I sit on from Funchal to Lisbon?
Sit on the left. The route is views-neutral, so the shade side wins.
What will I see after takeoff from FNC?
Depending on the runway in use, you can see Madeira Island and Pico Ruivo on the left, with Porto Santo appearing briefly near the aircraft a few minutes after departure.