About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Helsinki Vantaa (HEL) to John F Kennedy International (JFK)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Helsinki to New York. The right side wins overall because the Helsinki departure view of the city and archipelago is genuinely spectacular and unique, and over the Atlantic the right side also faces south toward Greenland's ice sheet and the Canadian Maritime coastline during the polar routing. The left side has the edge only at JFK landing, but the right side delivers more consistently across the full flight.
What can I see during takeoff from Helsinki Vantaa in Helsinki?
During takeoff from Helsinki Vantaa (HEL), sit on the Right side for the best views. Helsinki Vantaa typically departs westbound on runway 22L/22R, meaning a right-side seat faces south toward Helsinki city center and the archipelago. You get a clear view of the Helsinki peninsula, the harbor, and the scattered islands of the Gulf of Finland as the aircraft climbs and turns northwest. Notable sights include: Helsinki city center and Senate Square area, Helsinki South Harbour, Gulf of Finland archipelago islands, Espoo coastline.
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 approaches typically come in from the northeast over Long Island on runway 31L/31R or from the east on 22L/22R. On the common northeast approach, left-side seats face northwest toward Manhattan, giving a clear view of the Manhattan skyline, Upper New York Bay, and the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge as the aircraft descends over Jamaica Bay. Notable sights include: Manhattan skyline, Jamaica Bay and its wildlife refuge, Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, Long Island suburban grid.
How long is the flight from Helsinki to New York?
The flight from Helsinki Vantaa (HEL) to John F Kennedy International (JFK) takes Approximately 9 to 10 hours.
What does the Helsinki to New York flight path pass over?
The great circle route from Helsinki to JFK passes over southern Scandinavia, then tracks across the Norwegian Sea and southern tip of Greenland where the Greenland ice sheet and fjord coastline are visible. The route then crosses the Labrador Sea, the coast of Newfoundland or Nova Scotia, and descends over the northeastern United States. Greenland's ice cap and the rugged Labrador coastline are the most dramatic midpoint features.