The right side misses the Manhattan departure views but captures the full western portion of the flight including the Colorado River crossing, the Mojave Desert terrain, and the spectacular Pacific Ocean and Catalina Island arrival into SNA. The landing view on the right is among the most distinctive coastal approaches in the continental US.
Flown EWR to SNA? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Newark to Santa Ana is 2,428 miles (3,908 km), a flight of about 5 hours 30 minutes.
The flight tracks roughly along a great circle passing over central Pennsylvania, then across Ohio and Indiana, clipping the southern tip of Lake Michigan near Chicago, continuing over Missouri and Kansas, crossing the Colorado Rockies including the Front Range and the Continental Divide, then over the high desert of Utah or northern Arizona depending on routing, the Colorado River canyon country, the Mojave Desert, and finally descending over the Los Angeles Basin toward Orange County.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from EWR
LEFTEWR departures heading southwest on runway 22L/22R give the left side a direct view of Lower Manhattan's skyline, the Statue of Liberty, and New York Harbor. The right side faces inland New Jersey with far less visual interest.
Landing at SNA
RIGHTSNA sits just inland from the Pacific coast, and aircraft typically approach from the northeast on runway 20R/20L heading southwest. The right side gets a clear view of the Pacific Ocean, Newport Beach coastline, and Catalina Island on the horizon. The left side faces inland toward the Santa Ana Mountains.
Will your flight be in sunlight?
Pick a date and time in the Sun Map to watch the sun move across your whole flight.
About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Newark Liberty International (EWR) to John Wayne Arpt Orange Co (SNA)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Newark to Santa Ana. The right side misses the Manhattan departure views but captures the full western portion of the flight including the Colorado River crossing, the Mojave Desert terrain, and the spectacular Pacific Ocean and Catalina Island arrival into SNA. The landing view on the right is among the most distinctive coastal approaches in the continental US.
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 southwest on runway 22L/22R give the left side a direct view of Lower Manhattan's skyline, the Statue of Liberty, and New York Harbor. The right side faces inland New Jersey with far less visual interest. Notable sights include: Lower Manhattan skyline, Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor, Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, Staten Island.
What can I see when landing at John Wayne Arpt Orange Co in Santa Ana?
When landing at John Wayne Arpt Orange Co (SNA), sit on the Right side for the best views. SNA sits just inland from the Pacific coast, and aircraft typically approach from the northeast on runway 20R/20L heading southwest. The right side gets a clear view of the Pacific Ocean, Newport Beach coastline, and Catalina Island on the horizon. The left side faces inland toward the Santa Ana Mountains. Notable sights include: Pacific Ocean and Newport Beach coastline, Catalina Island on the horizon, Newport Bay and Back Bay estuary, Balboa Peninsula.
How long is the flight from Newark to Santa Ana?
The flight from Newark Liberty International (EWR) to John Wayne Arpt Orange Co (SNA) takes about 5 hours 30 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 2,428 miles (3,908 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Newark to Santa Ana flight path pass over?
The flight tracks roughly along a great circle passing over central Pennsylvania, then across Ohio and Indiana, clipping the southern tip of Lake Michigan near Chicago, continuing over Missouri and Kansas, crossing the Colorado Rockies including the Front Range and the Continental Divide, then over the high desert of Utah or northern Arizona depending on routing, the Colorado River canyon country, the Mojave Desert, and finally descending over the Los Angeles Basin toward Orange County.