The right side delivers a stronger visual arc: Percy Priest Lake and Cumberland Plateau ridges on departure, Appalachian terrain in Virginia and West Virginia during cruise, and a rare close pass of the Manhattan skyline and New York Harbor on final approach — a much richer sequence than the flatter, less landmark-dense left side.
Flight Path
Cumberland Plateau, Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah Valley in Virginia, Allegheny ridges of West Virginia, Susquehanna River valley in Pennsylvania
Great circle distance and headings ›Phase by phase

Takeoff from BNA
RIGHTClimbing out of BNA toward the east, the right side looks south across J. Percy Priest Lake's sprawling reservoir just past the airport fence, then over the rolling ridges of the Cumberland Plateau as the aircraft levels off. The left side mostly shows flat Middle Tennessee farmland with little definition.

Landing at JFK
RIGHTOn the descent into JFK, arrivals from the west typically swing south over Staten Island and Jamaica Bay before turning onto final, putting the Manhattan skyline and the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge on the right side of the cabin. The left side mostly faces open marsh and Queens rooftops with less to look at.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Nashville International (BNA) to John F Kennedy International (JFK)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Nashville to New York. The right side delivers a stronger visual arc: Percy Priest Lake and Cumberland Plateau ridges on departure, Appalachian terrain in Virginia and West Virginia during cruise, and a rare close pass of the Manhattan skyline and New York Harbor on final approach — a much richer sequence than the flatter, less landmark-dense left side.
What can I see during takeoff from Nashville International in Nashville?
During takeoff from Nashville International (BNA), sit on the Right side for the best views. Climbing out of BNA toward the east, the right side looks south across J. Percy Priest Lake's sprawling reservoir just past the airport fence, then over the rolling ridges of the Cumberland Plateau as the aircraft levels off. The left side mostly shows flat Middle Tennessee farmland with little definition. Notable sights include: J. Percy Priest Lake, Cumberland Plateau ridgelines, Stones River valley.
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 Right side for the best views. On the descent into JFK, arrivals from the west typically swing south over Staten Island and Jamaica Bay before turning onto final, putting the Manhattan skyline and the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge on the right side of the cabin. The left side mostly faces open marsh and Queens rooftops with less to look at. Notable sights include: Manhattan skyline, Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, Jamaica Bay wetlands, Rockaway Peninsula.
How long is the flight from Nashville to New York?
The flight from Nashville International (BNA) to John F Kennedy International (JFK) takes 2h 10m.
What does the Nashville to New York flight path pass over?
Cumberland Plateau, Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah Valley in Virginia, Allegheny ridges of West Virginia, Susquehanna River valley in Pennsylvania