About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) to John F Kennedy International (JFK)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Kirtland A.f.b. to New York. Left side delivers the best views at both ends of the flight — the Sandia Mountains on departure and Manhattan plus Jamaica Bay on arrival. Across the mid-flight, the left side also faces slightly more southward toward the southern Rockies and the Mississippi River valley as the route curves northeast.
What can I see during takeoff from Albuquerque International Sunport in Kirtland A.f.b.?
During takeoff from Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ), sit on the Left side for the best views. ABQ typically departs runway 08 (heading east) or runway 03 (heading north). On an eastbound departure, the left side faces north toward the Sandia Mountains, which rise dramatically 5,000 feet above the city to about 10,678 ft. The Rio Grande valley is also visible below and to the northwest before the aircraft turns east. Notable sights include: Sandia Mountains (Crest at 10,678 ft), Rio Grande valley corridor, Albuquerque city grid below, Tijeras Canyon mouth at the base of the Sandias.
What can I see when landing at John F Kennedy International in New York?
When landing at John F Kennedy International (JFK), sit on the Left side for the best views. JFK primarily uses runways 31L/31R (heading northwest) or 22L/22R (heading southwest) for arrivals from the west. On a northwest-heading approach over Jamaica Bay, the left side faces southwest toward Manhattan's skyline, the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, and the Lower Bay. The right side faces northeast toward Long Island suburbs with far less visual interest. Notable sights include: Manhattan skyline (visible 15-20 miles out), Jamaica Bay wetlands directly below, Verrazano-Narrows Bridge to the southwest, Brooklyn waterfront.
How long is the flight from Kirtland A.f.b. to New York?
The flight from Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) to John F Kennedy International (JFK) takes Approximately 4 hours 15 minutes to 4 hours 45 minutes.
What does the Kirtland A.f.b. to New York flight path pass over?
After leaving New Mexico, the route crosses the Texas Panhandle's flat plains, then Oklahoma and Kansas. Over Missouri and Illinois the Mississippi and Missouri River confluence is visible. Crossing Indiana and Ohio brings the flat agricultural Midwest. Pennsylvania's Appalachian ridges — the folded parallel valleys of the Ridge and Valley province — are clearly visible before descending into the New York metro area.