Left side wins both ends of the flight — Manhattan and New York Harbor on departure, and Amsterdam's canal ring on approach. Over the Atlantic the views are largely ocean on both sides, but the left side also catches the southern coast of Ireland and Cornwall during the transatlantic crossing, making it the stronger choice for the full journey.
Flight Path
The flight tracks northeast over Nova Scotia and Newfoundland before crossing the North Atlantic. Greenland's southern ice sheet may be visible on the northern horizon at cruise altitude. The aircraft crosses the southern tip of Ireland (County Cork coastline), then Wales or Cornwall in England, before descending over the North Sea toward the Netherlands. The English Channel and Thames Estuary are sometimes visible during descent.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from EWR
LEFTEWR departures heading northeast on runway 22L/4R typically bank left, giving left-side passengers a clear view of Lower Manhattan, the Hudson River, and New York Harbor. The Statue of Liberty and the full Manhattan skyline are visible before the aircraft climbs out over the Atlantic.
Landing at AMS
LEFTSchiphol's most common landing approaches on runways 18R or 27 bring aircraft in from the north or east. Left-side seats get views over central Amsterdam's canal ring, the IJ waterfront, and the flat Dutch polder landscape with its characteristic windmills and greenhouse clusters visible below.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Newark Liberty International (EWR) to Schiphol (AMS)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Newark to Amsterdam. Left side wins both ends of the flight — Manhattan and New York Harbor on departure, and Amsterdam's canal ring on approach. Over the Atlantic the views are largely ocean on both sides, but the left side also catches the southern coast of Ireland and Cornwall during the transatlantic crossing, making it the stronger choice for the full journey.
What can I see during takeoff from Newark Liberty International in Newark?
During takeoff from Newark Liberty International (EWR), sit on the Left side for the best views. EWR departures heading northeast on runway 22L/4R typically bank left, giving left-side passengers a clear view of Lower Manhattan, the Hudson River, and New York Harbor. The Statue of Liberty and the full Manhattan skyline are visible before the aircraft climbs out over the Atlantic. Notable sights include: Manhattan skyline, Hudson River, New York Harbor, Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island.
What can I see when landing at Schiphol in Amsterdam?
When landing at Schiphol (AMS), sit on the Left side for the best views. Schiphol's most common landing approaches on runways 18R or 27 bring aircraft in from the north or east. Left-side seats get views over central Amsterdam's canal ring, the IJ waterfront, and the flat Dutch polder landscape with its characteristic windmills and greenhouse clusters visible below. Notable sights include: Amsterdam canal ring (grachtengordel), IJ waterfront and harbor, Dutch polder fields and greenhouse complexes, Haarlem city outline to the west.
How long is the flight from Newark to Amsterdam?
The flight from Newark Liberty International (EWR) to Schiphol (AMS) takes Approximately 7 to 8 hours.
What does the Newark to Amsterdam flight path pass over?
The flight tracks northeast over Nova Scotia and Newfoundland before crossing the North Atlantic. Greenland's southern ice sheet may be visible on the northern horizon at cruise altitude. The aircraft crosses the southern tip of Ireland (County Cork coastline), then Wales or Cornwall in England, before descending over the North Sea toward the Netherlands. The English Channel and Thames Estuary are sometimes visible during descent.