Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Newark to Philipsburg. The left side delivers the definitive New York Harbor departure view — Manhattan, the Hudson, the Statue of Liberty — which is genuinely world-class. The landing view difference at SXM is less dramatic, and the left side also tracks the eastern US coastline and the Bahamas chain during cruise at a better angle for occasional glimpses of the Atlantic coast.

During takeoff from Newark Liberty International (EWR), sit on the Left side for the best views. EWR's primary departure runway 22L sends aircraft southwest over Newark Bay, then curving southeast. The left side captures Manhattan's skyline directly, including the Hudson River, the full sweep of Lower Manhattan, and the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor. This is one of the most iconic urban departure views in aviation. Notable sights include: Manhattan skyline and Hudson River, Statue of Liberty in Upper New York Bay, Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, Brooklyn and Queens waterfront.

When landing at Princess Juliana International (SXM), sit on the Right side for the best views. Princess Juliana's runway 10 approach comes in from the west over the Caribbean, with aircraft descending low over Maho Beach. The right side faces north toward the island's interior hills and the lagoon, but more importantly the final approach over the water gives right-side passengers a clear view of the famous beach, Simpson Bay Lagoon, and the Dutch side of the island. Runway 28 departures reverse this but arrivals on 10 are most common. Notable sights include: Simpson Bay Lagoon, Maho Beach directly below on final approach, Sint Maarten's green central hills, the narrow barrier strip separating lagoon from Caribbean Sea.

The flight from Newark Liberty International (EWR) to Princess Juliana International (SXM) takes Approximately 4 hours 15 minutes to 4 hours 45 minutes.

After departing the New York area, the flight tracks southeast over the Atlantic, passing east of the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The Bahamas archipelago — particularly the shallow turquoise banks of the Great Bahama Bank and Exuma Sound — are visible from cruising altitude around the midpoint, their distinctive pale blue shallow water contrasting sharply with the deep Atlantic. Further south, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands appear on the horizon as the flight descends toward Sint Maarten, with the mountainous spine of Puerto Rico visible to the west and the British Virgin Islands to the east.