Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Abu Dhabi to New York. Left side wins at both ends of the flight. Departure offers Abu Dhabi's coastal city and Gulf waters; arrival delivers the New York harbor approach with Manhattan on the horizon. The mid-flight routing over Turkey, the Black Sea, and the North Atlantic offers occasional interest on both sides, but the bookend city views are decisively left.

During takeoff from Abu Dhabi International (AUH), sit on the Left side for the best views. Abu Dhabi International typically departs westward on runway 31L/31R, then turns north. The left side captures Abu Dhabi city's island layout, the Corniche waterfront, and the dense urban core against the Persian Gulf. The right side faces inland desert with little of interest. Notable sights include: Abu Dhabi Corniche and city island, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque (distinctive white domes visible from low altitude), Persian Gulf coastline and shallow turquoise waters, Yas Island and its marina circuit.

When landing at John F Kennedy International (JFK), sit on the Left side for the best views. JFK arrivals from the east typically use runway 22L/22R or 31L, approaching over Jamaica Bay and Long Island. The left side on approach from the east gives a clear view of lower Manhattan's skyline across the bay, Brooklyn, and the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. The right side faces south over the open Atlantic or suburban Long Island with far less drama. Notable sights include: Lower Manhattan and Midtown skyline across Jamaica Bay, Brooklyn waterfront and bridges, Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge (distinctive shallow bay with barrier islands), Verrazano-Narrows Bridge.

The flight from Abu Dhabi International (AUH) to John F Kennedy International (JFK) takes Approximately 14 to 15 hours.

After departing the UAE the route tracks northwest over the Arabian Peninsula and into Turkey, crossing the Anatolian plateau and the Black Sea. The flight then passes over Romania, Ukraine or Poland depending on routing, crosses the North Sea or northern UK, and heads out over the North Atlantic. Greenland's southern ice sheet may be visible on northern routings. The Canadian Maritime provinces and Nova Scotia appear before the descent into New York. Much of the mid-flight is over open ocean or featureless cloud cover.