Left side wins both takeoff and landing with the most dramatic urban and coastal scenery. During the cruise portion heading northeast, the left side also tracks closer to the coastline, offering occasional glimpses of the Outer Banks, Cape Hatteras, and the Virginia and Maryland shoreline through breaks in cloud cover.
Flown CHS to JFK? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Charleston to New York is 637 miles (1,025 km), a flight of about 2 hours 10 minutes.
The flight tracks northeast along the Atlantic Seaboard. Notable features include the North Carolina Outer Banks and Cape Hatteras visible to the left around the midpoint, the broad Chesapeake Bay mouth near Norfolk Virginia, the Delaware Bay further north, and the New Jersey Pine Barrens and coastal plain on descent into JFK.
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from CHS
LEFTCharleston International typically departs northeast on runway 15/33. On a northbound departure, the left (west) side gives you a clear view back over the Charleston peninsula, the confluence of the Ashley and Cooper Rivers, and Charleston Harbor. The right side faces inland toward flat pine forest with little of interest.
Landing at JFK
LEFTJFK primarily uses runways 13L/31R and 13R/31L. Arriving from the south on a runway 13 approach, the left side faces north and west over Jamaica Bay, Brooklyn, and lower Manhattan. The right side looks southeast over the Atlantic Ocean and the Rockaways with far less to see.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Charleston Afb International (CHS) to John F Kennedy International (JFK)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Charleston to New York. Left side wins both takeoff and landing with the most dramatic urban and coastal scenery. During the cruise portion heading northeast, the left side also tracks closer to the coastline, offering occasional glimpses of the Outer Banks, Cape Hatteras, and the Virginia and Maryland shoreline through breaks in cloud cover.
What can I see during takeoff from Charleston Afb International in Charleston?
During takeoff from Charleston Afb International (CHS), sit on the Left side for the best views. Charleston International typically departs northeast on runway 15/33. On a northbound departure, the left (west) side gives you a clear view back over the Charleston peninsula, the confluence of the Ashley and Cooper Rivers, and Charleston Harbor. The right side faces inland toward flat pine forest with little of interest. Notable sights include: Charleston Harbor, Ashley River, Cooper River, Charleston Peninsula historic district.
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 primarily uses runways 13L/31R and 13R/31L. Arriving from the south on a runway 13 approach, the left side faces north and west over Jamaica Bay, Brooklyn, and lower Manhattan. The right side looks southeast over the Atlantic Ocean and the Rockaways with far less to see. Notable sights include: Jamaica Bay, Brooklyn waterfront, Lower Manhattan skyline, Verrazano-Narrows Bridge.
How long is the flight from Charleston to New York?
The flight from Charleston Afb International (CHS) to John F Kennedy International (JFK) takes about 2 hours 10 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 637 miles (1,025 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Charleston to New York flight path pass over?
The flight tracks northeast along the Atlantic Seaboard. Notable features include the North Carolina Outer Banks and Cape Hatteras visible to the left around the midpoint, the broad Chesapeake Bay mouth near Norfolk Virginia, the Delaware Bay further north, and the New Jersey Pine Barrens and coastal plain on descent into JFK.