Boston to Shannon is 2,887 miles (4,646 km), a flight of about 6 hours 55 minutes.
The left side wins overall. The Boston departure view is spectacular and hard to beat — the full city skyline and harbor in one sweep. Mid-flight over the North Atlantic there is little to see regardless of side, and the Shannon arrival on the right is excellent but slightly less dramatic than the Boston departure. Left-side passengers also get views of the southern tip of Greenland and Iceland's coastline during the great-circle routing if skies are clear.
Flight Path
The great-circle route arcs well north, passing over Nova Scotia and Newfoundland's coastline, then crossing the North Atlantic. On clear days passengers may see the southern tip of Greenland's ice sheet and potentially Iceland's volcanic highlands on the horizon. The mid-Atlantic section is open ocean with occasional cloud decks. As the flight descends toward Ireland, the west coast of Ireland — County Clare and the Aran Islands — comes into view.
Great circle distance and headings ›Phase by phase
Takeoff from BOS
LEFTLogan's most common eastward departures off Runway 33L/22R swing left over Boston Harbor and the city skyline. A left seat gives you the downtown Boston skyline, the Charles River, and a clear look back at the harbor islands as you climb out over the water.
Landing at SNN
RIGHTShannon Airport sits on the south bank of the Shannon Estuary, and aircraft typically approach from the east or northeast on Runway 24. A right-side seat gives you the broad Shannon Estuary opening to the Atlantic, the Cliffs of Moher visible to the south on clear days, and the patchwork green farmland of County Clare.
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 Shannon (SNN)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Boston to Shannon. The left side wins overall. The Boston departure view is spectacular and hard to beat — the full city skyline and harbor in one sweep. Mid-flight over the North Atlantic there is little to see regardless of side, and the Shannon arrival on the right is excellent but slightly less dramatic than the Boston departure. Left-side passengers also get views of the southern tip of Greenland and Iceland's coastline during the great-circle routing if skies are clear.
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. Logan's most common eastward departures off Runway 33L/22R swing left over Boston Harbor and the city skyline. A left seat gives you the downtown Boston skyline, the Charles River, and a clear look back at the harbor islands as you climb out over the water. Notable sights include: Downtown Boston skyline, Boston Harbor and Harbor Islands, Charles River and Cambridge, Quincy Bay.
What can I see when landing at Shannon in Shannon?
When landing at Shannon (SNN), sit on the Right side for the best views. Shannon Airport sits on the south bank of the Shannon Estuary, and aircraft typically approach from the east or northeast on Runway 24. A right-side seat gives you the broad Shannon Estuary opening to the Atlantic, the Cliffs of Moher visible to the south on clear days, and the patchwork green farmland of County Clare. Notable sights include: Shannon Estuary, County Clare farmland, Cliffs of Moher (on clear days, to the south), Loop Head Peninsula.
How long is the flight from Boston to Shannon?
The flight from General Edward Lawrence Logan International (BOS) to Shannon (SNN) takes about 6 hours 55 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 2,887 miles (4,646 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Boston to Shannon flight path pass over?
The great-circle route arcs well north, passing over Nova Scotia and Newfoundland's coastline, then crossing the North Atlantic. On clear days passengers may see the southern tip of Greenland's ice sheet and potentially Iceland's volcanic highlands on the horizon. The mid-Atlantic section is open ocean with occasional cloud decks. As the flight descends toward Ireland, the west coast of Ireland — County Clare and the Aran Islands — comes into view.