JFK to MAD: which side of the plane should you sit on?
New York (JFK) to Madrid (MAD) is a 5,760 km (3,579 mi), roughly 7h 17m eastbound flight. Here is where the sun sits along that path, computed with the same astronomy as our live calculator.
On most daytime JFK to MAD 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 | Left | Left |
| September equinox | Right | Right | Left |
| December solstice | Right | Right | Night |
What you’ll see on this flight
Right side for views, but it is also the sunny side. If you want the clearest window, sit right; if you want less glare, the left side is easier on a bright daytime flight.
This route leans right for the best views. That side also gets the sun, so you trade a clearer look for more glare on a daytime flight.
Takeoff
On departure, the left side gets the New York skyline pieces first, depending on the runway in use. Look left for the Brooklyn Bridge, the East River, Ellis Island, and Liberty Island as you climb out.
En route
- 21m inRight →Martha's Vineyard
About 20 minutes in, Martha's Vineyard sits off the right side as a compact island shape.
- 25m inRight →Cape Cod
A few minutes later, Cape Cod is also on the right, thin and close to the flight path.
- 1h 31m in← LeftCape Breton Island
About an hour and a half in, Cape Breton Island stays to the left as a broad land mass far below.
- 6h 45m inRight →Porto
Near the end, Porto comes up on the right with Peneda-Gerês National Park just beyond it.
- 6h 45m inRight →Peneda-Gerês National Park
At the same point, Peneda-Gerês National Park is on the right too, a green patchwork rather than a single peak.
Landing
On approach, the right side keeps the better view, depending on the runway in use. You pass the Iberian Peninsula and Móstoles on that side, while Madrid comes in almost under you at the end. The left side gets the Sierra de Guadarrama and the Aqueduct of Segovia.
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 JFK to MAD?
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 JFK to MAD 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 JFK to MAD?
The great-circle distance is 5,760 km (3,579 mi), which works out to roughly 7h 17m in the air on this eastbound 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 for JFK to MAD?
Sit on the right for the best views. It is also the sunny side on this daytime flight, so the left is the quieter choice if you want less glare.
What can I see on the JFK to MAD flight?
Early on, the left side gets Brooklyn Bridge, the East River, Ellis Island, and Liberty Island. Later, the right side picks up Martha's Vineyard, Cape Cod, Porto, Peneda-Gerês National Park, and Madrid near landing.