The left side wins narrowly thanks to the more dramatic and iconic Boston skyline departure, combined with brief coastal glimpses of Newfoundland and possibly southern Ireland during cruise, giving it slightly more landmark variety than the right side's ocean-and-coast combination.
Flight Path
After leaving the New England coast, the route passes near Nova Scotia and the southern tip of Newfoundland before several hours over open North Atlantic water; on many routings the southern coast of Ireland (near County Cork) becomes visible before the aircraft crosses into the North Sea toward the Netherlands.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from BOS
LEFTNoise-abatement departures climb north over Boston Harbor before banking out to sea, and that turn puts downtown Boston's skyline, the Charles River, and Cambridge into view on the left side. The right side mostly sees the harbor islands and open water beyond.
Landing at AMS
RIGHTArrivals to Schiphol's southbound runways descend from the north, and the final turn onto approach puts the North Sea coastline, dune-lined beaches near Zandvoort and IJmuiden, and the geometric Dutch polders on the right side of the aircraft.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from General Edward Lawrence Logan International (BOS) to Schiphol (AMS)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Boston to Amsterdam. The left side wins narrowly thanks to the more dramatic and iconic Boston skyline departure, combined with brief coastal glimpses of Newfoundland and possibly southern Ireland during cruise, giving it slightly more landmark variety than the right side's ocean-and-coast combination.
What can I see during takeoff from General Edward Lawrence Logan International in Boston?
During takeoff from General Edward Lawrence Logan International (BOS), sit on the Left side for the best views. Noise-abatement departures climb north over Boston Harbor before banking out to sea, and that turn puts downtown Boston's skyline, the Charles River, and Cambridge into view on the left side. The right side mostly sees the harbor islands and open water beyond. Notable sights include: Downtown Boston skyline, Charles River, Cambridge, Boston Harbor Islands.
What can I see when landing at Schiphol in Amsterdam?
When landing at Schiphol (AMS), sit on the Right side for the best views. Arrivals to Schiphol's southbound runways descend from the north, and the final turn onto approach puts the North Sea coastline, dune-lined beaches near Zandvoort and IJmuiden, and the geometric Dutch polders on the right side of the aircraft. Notable sights include: North Sea coastline, Zandvoort/IJmuiden dunes, Dutch polders and canals, Westland greenhouses.
How long is the flight from Boston to Amsterdam?
The flight from General Edward Lawrence Logan International (BOS) to Schiphol (AMS) takes 6h 15m.
What does the Boston to Amsterdam flight path pass over?
After leaving the New England coast, the route passes near Nova Scotia and the southern tip of Newfoundland before several hours over open North Atlantic water; on many routings the southern coast of Ireland (near County Cork) becomes visible before the aircraft crosses into the North Sea toward the Netherlands.