LIS to FNC: which side of the plane should you sit on?
Lisbon (LIS) to Funchal (FNC) is a 965 km (600 mi), roughly 1h 38m westbound flight. Here is where the sun sits along that path, computed with the same astronomy as our live calculator.
On most daytime LIS to FNC departures the sun favors the left side — sit on the right (a window on the right) for shade.
Sun side by season and departure time
| Season | Morning (8 am) | Midday (1 pm) | Evening (6 pm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| March equinox | Left | Left | Right |
| June solstice | Left | Left | Right |
| September equinox | Left | Left | Right |
| December solstice | Left | Left | Night |
What you’ll see on this flight
Views do not decide this one. Sit on the right for shade and for the better side of the route.
This route is a shade call, not a views call. The right side is the shaded side, and that is also where the useful scenery sits on the climb and descent.
Takeoff
Shortly after departure from LIS, depending on the runway in use, you can catch Cabo da Roca on the right about 2 minutes in. It is a quick look, but it gives you one clear coastal landmark as you climb out.
Landing
On descent into FNC, depending on the runway in use, the right side keeps the main views. Madeira Island comes into view there about 98 minutes in, with Pico Ruivo close by on the same side. Porto Santo is different: it passes nearly underneath on the left about 92 minutes in, so it is a brief, steep look rather than a broad side-on view.
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 LIS to FNC?
Across typical daytime departures, the sun predominantly hits the left side of the aircraft, so the right side stays shadier. Seat letters start at the left window, so choose the highest window letter (F on narrowbodies, K on many widebodies).
Which side has the sunset views on LIS to FNC flights?
For sunset views, flip the advice: on evening departures the sun sits on the right side of this route, so that is the side with the show.
How long is the flight from LIS to FNC?
The great-circle distance is 965 km (600 mi), which works out to roughly 1h 38m in the air on this westbound 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 LIS to FNC?
Sit on the right. That is the shade side, and it also gets the better views on departure and approach.
What can I see on the LIS to FNC flight?
Cabo da Roca soon after takeoff on the right, then Madeira Island and Pico Ruivo on the right during descent. Porto Santo passes nearly overhead on the left.