The right side offers the most varied and dramatic scenery across the whole flight: a coastal Helsinki departure, a cruise track that runs close to southern Greenland's ice sheet and Labrador's coastline, and a New York arrival with Manhattan skyline views, while the left side spends most of the flight over featureless open Atlantic water.
Flight Path
Southern tip of Greenland's ice sheet and coastal glaciers, the Labrador Sea, and the rugged coastline of Newfoundland/Labrador before the route turns south toward the U.S. East Coast
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from HEL
RIGHTDeparting Helsinki-Vantaa on runway 22, the turn to the southwest puts the Gulf of Finland and Helsinki's coastal archipelago on the right side briefly before the climb continues over southern Finland's lake-studded forests, giving more texture than the flatter inland view on the left.
Landing at JFK
RIGHTOn the descent into JFK, arrivals from the northeast typically curve south over Long Island before lining up for runway 22L/22R, and this turn puts the Manhattan skyline and the Long Island Sound coastline on the right side of the aircraft during the final miles.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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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 offers the most varied and dramatic scenery across the whole flight: a coastal Helsinki departure, a cruise track that runs close to southern Greenland's ice sheet and Labrador's coastline, and a New York arrival with Manhattan skyline views, while the left side spends most of the flight over featureless open Atlantic water.
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. Departing Helsinki-Vantaa on runway 22, the turn to the southwest puts the Gulf of Finland and Helsinki's coastal archipelago on the right side briefly before the climb continues over southern Finland's lake-studded forests, giving more texture than the flatter inland view on the left. Notable sights include: Gulf of Finland, Helsinki archipelago islands, Finnish lake district.
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 Right side for the best views. On the descent into JFK, arrivals from the northeast typically curve south over Long Island before lining up for runway 22L/22R, and this turn puts the Manhattan skyline and the Long Island Sound coastline on the right side of the aircraft during the final miles. Notable sights include: Manhattan skyline, Long Island Sound shoreline, Jamaica Bay wetlands.
How long is the flight from Helsinki to New York?
The flight from Helsinki Vantaa (HEL) to John F Kennedy International (JFK) takes 9h 20m.
What does the Helsinki to New York flight path pass over?
Southern tip of Greenland's ice sheet and coastal glaciers, the Labrador Sea, and the rugged coastline of Newfoundland/Labrador before the route turns south toward the U.S. East Coast