About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Schiphol (AMS) to John F Kennedy International (JFK)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Amsterdam to New York. While the right side wins at takeoff for Amsterdam views, the left side delivers the better overall experience. It picks up the southern coast of England and Cornwall on the early transatlantic leg, and crucially provides the far superior JFK arrival view over Jamaica Bay and the distant Manhattan skyline. The landing view is the more memorable payoff of the two.
What can I see during takeoff from Schiphol in Amsterdam?
During takeoff from Schiphol (AMS), sit on the Right side for the best views. Schiphol typically departs westward on runway 18R/36L or 24 toward the North Sea. A right-side seat gives you a clear view back over Amsterdam city center, the IJ waterway, and the distinctive patchwork of Dutch polders and canal networks as you climb out. Left side faces open farmland and greenhouse complexes with less visual interest. Notable sights include: Amsterdam city center and canal ring, IJ waterway and Amsterdam harbor, Dutch polder landscape with drainage canals, Westpoort industrial port district.
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 approaches typically come in from the east or northeast over the Atlantic, landing on runways 13L/R or 22L/R. A left-side seat on approach gives you the view over Jamaica Bay, the Rockaway Peninsula, and then the Manhattan skyline in the distance to the northwest. Right side faces the open Atlantic and southern Long Island suburbs with far less to see. Notable sights include: Jamaica Bay and its barrier islands, Rockaway Peninsula, Manhattan skyline visible to the northwest, Brooklyn and Queens urban grid.
How long is the flight from Amsterdam to New York?
The flight from Schiphol (AMS) to John F Kennedy International (JFK) takes Approximately 8 to 9 hours.
What does the Amsterdam to New York flight path pass over?
The route tracks northwest over the North Sea, crossing the southern tip of England near Cornwall, then heads out over the North Atlantic following a great circle arc. The flight passes south of Greenland and Iceland — on some routings the southern Greenland ice sheet and fjords may be distantly visible to the left on clear days. The route then crosses the Canadian Maritime provinces including Nova Scotia and New England before descending toward New York.