Berlin to New York flight path: BER to JFK

Sit on the left side of the plane

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Pick the window seat with the view. 13,500 routes answered — landmarks, coastlines and cities, wing by wing.

Flight time9h 15m
Distance3,971
Heading296° → 226°

Berlin to New York is 3,971 miles (6,390 km), a flight of about 9 hours 15 minutes.

Best side
Left

Left side wins both ends of the flight. Over the North Atlantic the views are largely ocean regardless of side, but the left seat delivers the better Berlin departure views and the superior Jamaica Bay and Manhattan approach on arrival.

Takeoff · BERLEFTSpree river through central Berlin, Tempelhof Airport field, Müggelsee lake to the southeast
Landing · JFKLEFTJamaica Bay and its wildlife refuge grid of channels, Rockaway Peninsula barrier beach, Atlantic Ocean approach

Flight Path

Flight path overview

The route tracks northwest from Berlin over the Netherlands and crosses the North Sea near the Frisian Islands, then follows a great circle arc over southern Scotland and Ireland before heading out over the North Atlantic. The midpoint falls over the open North Atlantic roughly south of Iceland and southeast of Greenland. On the Canadian side the route crosses Newfoundland and Nova Scotia before descending over the Atlantic toward Long Island.

Great circle distance and headings ›

Phase by phase

Aerial window seat view during takeoff from Berlin (left side) — Spree river through central Berlin, Tempelhof Airport field, Müggelsee lake to the southeast, Potsdam lakes and Havel river

Takeoff from BER

LEFT

BER's primary departure runway 25L sends aircraft westward, and the left (south) side gives a clear view back over central Berlin as the aircraft climbs and turns northwest. You can pick out the Spree river bending through the city and the Tempelhof field below.

Spree river through central BerlinTempelhof Airport fieldMüggelsee lake to the southeastPotsdam lakes and Havel river
Aerial window seat view during landing at New York (left side) — Jamaica Bay and its wildlife refuge grid of channels, Rockaway Peninsula barrier beach, Atlantic Ocean approach, Manhattan skyline on the distant horizon to the northwest

Landing at JFK

LEFT

JFK approaches from the east on runway 22L/22R, meaning the aircraft tracks over the Atlantic and crosses Long Island before landing. The left (south/east) side gets the clearest view of the Atlantic approach, Rockaway Beach, Jamaica Bay, and the Manhattan skyline visible in the distance to the northwest.

Jamaica Bay and its wildlife refuge grid of channelsRockaway Peninsula barrier beachAtlantic Ocean approachManhattan skyline on the distant horizon to the northwest

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About This Route

Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Berlin Brandenburg (BER) to John F Kennedy International (JFK)?

Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Berlin to New York. Left side wins both ends of the flight. Over the North Atlantic the views are largely ocean regardless of side, but the left seat delivers the better Berlin departure views and the superior Jamaica Bay and Manhattan approach on arrival.

What can I see during takeoff from Berlin Brandenburg in Berlin?

During takeoff from Berlin Brandenburg (BER), sit on the Left side for the best views. BER's primary departure runway 25L sends aircraft westward, and the left (south) side gives a clear view back over central Berlin as the aircraft climbs and turns northwest. You can pick out the Spree river bending through the city and the Tempelhof field below. Notable sights include: Spree river through central Berlin, Tempelhof Airport field, Müggelsee lake to the southeast, Potsdam lakes and Havel river.

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 from the east on runway 22L/22R, meaning the aircraft tracks over the Atlantic and crosses Long Island before landing. The left (south/east) side gets the clearest view of the Atlantic approach, Rockaway Beach, Jamaica Bay, and the Manhattan skyline visible in the distance to the northwest. Notable sights include: Jamaica Bay and its wildlife refuge grid of channels, Rockaway Peninsula barrier beach, Atlantic Ocean approach, Manhattan skyline on the distant horizon to the northwest.

How long is the flight from Berlin to New York?

The flight from Berlin Brandenburg (BER) to John F Kennedy International (JFK) takes about 9 hours 15 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 3,971 miles (6,390 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.

What does the Berlin to New York flight path pass over?

The route tracks northwest from Berlin over the Netherlands and crosses the North Sea near the Frisian Islands, then follows a great circle arc over southern Scotland and Ireland before heading out over the North Atlantic. The midpoint falls over the open North Atlantic roughly south of Iceland and southeast of Greenland. On the Canadian side the route crosses Newfoundland and Nova Scotia before descending over the Atlantic toward Long Island.