The right side bookends the short flight with two strong skyline views — downtown Boston at departure and Manhattan at arrival — while the left side offers only harbor islands, Long Island Sound, and open ocean without a comparable landmark payoff.
Flight Path
Narragansett Bay and the Rhode Island shoreline, followed by a crossing of Long Island Sound toward the Connecticut and Long Island coastlines
Great circle distance and headings ›Phase by phase
Takeoff from BOS
RIGHTDeparting Logan toward the southwest, the right side looks back across the harbor at Boston's compact downtown skyline and the Charles River, while the left side only shows the harbor islands and open Atlantic. The skyline view is the more distinctive and photogenic scene during the initial climb.
Landing at JFK
RIGHTOn the turn to final for JFK's southwest-facing runways, the descent path passes over Nassau County and Jamaica Bay, putting the Manhattan skyline on the right side in the distance to the northwest. The left side mainly shows Long Island suburbs and the open Atlantic beyond the Rockaways.
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 John F Kennedy International (JFK)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Boston to New York. The right side bookends the short flight with two strong skyline views — downtown Boston at departure and Manhattan at arrival — while the left side offers only harbor islands, Long Island Sound, and open ocean without a comparable landmark payoff.
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 Right side for the best views. Departing Logan toward the southwest, the right side looks back across the harbor at Boston's compact downtown skyline and the Charles River, while the left side only shows the harbor islands and open Atlantic. The skyline view is the more distinctive and photogenic scene during the initial climb. Notable sights include: Boston downtown skyline (Prudential Center, John Hancock Tower), Charles River basin, Back Bay, South Boston/Dorchester coastline.
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 turn to final for JFK's southwest-facing runways, the descent path passes over Nassau County and Jamaica Bay, putting the Manhattan skyline on the right side in the distance to the northwest. The left side mainly shows Long Island suburbs and the open Atlantic beyond the Rockaways. Notable sights include: Manhattan skyline (Midtown and Lower Manhattan towers), Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, Rockaway Peninsula, Long Island North Shore.
How long is the flight from Boston to New York?
The flight from General Edward Lawrence Logan International (BOS) to John F Kennedy International (JFK) takes 1h 15m.
What does the Boston to New York flight path pass over?
Narragansett Bay and the Rhode Island shoreline, followed by a crossing of Long Island Sound toward the Connecticut and Long Island coastlines