About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Detroit City (DET) to John F Kennedy International (JFK)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Detroit to New York. The left side wins at both ends of this flight. Over Detroit you get the river and downtown, and approaching JFK you get Jamaica Bay and the distant Manhattan skyline. The right side has less to offer at both airports given typical runway configurations.
What can I see during takeoff from Detroit City in Detroit?
During takeoff from Detroit City (DET), sit on the Left side for the best views. Detroit City Airport typically departs eastbound on runway 15/33 or 7/25. A left-side seat during an eastward departure gives you a clear view back over downtown Detroit and the Detroit River, with Windsor, Ontario visible just across the water. The compact urban grid of Detroit's downtown and the river border are immediately recognizable. Notable sights include: Downtown Detroit skyline, Detroit River, Windsor Ontario waterfront, Belle Isle Park in the river.
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 typically lands on runways 13L/13R or 22L/22R depending on wind. Approaches from the west or northwest put the left side over Jamaica Bay and then the Manhattan skyline in the distance to the north. The left seat gets the iconic view of lower Manhattan on the horizon as you descend over the bay. Notable sights include: Jamaica Bay and its barrier islands, Manhattan skyline on the northern horizon, Rockaway Peninsula, Brooklyn waterfront.
How long is the flight from Detroit to New York?
The flight from Detroit City (DET) to John F Kennedy International (JFK) takes Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes.
What does the Detroit to New York flight path pass over?
The flight tracks southeast across southern Ontario briefly, then crosses into upstate New York over Lake Erie's eastern end near Buffalo, then follows the Southern Tier of New York state over the Finger Lakes region and the Catskill Mountains before descending into the New York metro area. The Finger Lakes are visible as long narrow parallel water bodies, and the Catskills appear as a broad rolling highland before the terrain flattens into the Hudson Valley and New Jersey coastal plain.