Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from New York to Buffalo. The left side delivers the best views at both ends of this short flight — the New York metro area and Jamaica Bay on departure, and Lake Erie's shoreline on approach to Buffalo. The flight is too short and low to offer dramatic en-route scenery, but the left side consistently faces the more interesting geography throughout.

During takeoff from John F Kennedy International (JFK), sit on the Left side for the best views. JFK typically departs eastward on runways 31L/31R or westward on 22L/22R depending on wind. On the dominant westbound departure toward Buffalo, the left side captures Jamaica Bay, the lower Manhattan skyline, and the Hudson River as the aircraft turns northwest. The right side faces south toward the Atlantic with little of interest. Notable sights include: Jamaica Bay and its wildlife refuge, Lower Manhattan skyline and One World Trade Center, the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, the Hudson River corridor.

When landing at Buffalo Niagara International (BUF), sit on the Left side for the best views. Buffalo Niagara typically lands on runway 23 heading southwest, or runway 05 heading northeast. On the common approach from the east on runway 23, the left side looks south toward Lake Erie and Niagara Falls, which is only about 20 miles north of the airport — actually better seen from the right on this heading. On the more common easterly approach (runway 05), the left side faces north toward Lake Ontario and the Niagara River corridor. Overall the left side more consistently captures Lake Erie's shoreline and the Buffalo urban waterfront during the descent. Notable sights include: Lake Erie's eastern shoreline and Buffalo waterfront, the Niagara River corridor, downtown Buffalo's compact skyline, Grand Island in the Niagara River.

The flight from John F Kennedy International (JFK) to Buffalo Niagara International (BUF) takes Approximately 55 to 70 minutes.

The flight crosses the Southern Tier of New York State, passing over the Catskill Mountains foothills, the broad Susquehanna River valley near Binghamton, and the rolling agricultural plains of the Finger Lakes region's western edge before descending into the flat Lake Erie plain around Buffalo. At cruising altitude the terrain below is mostly forested hills and farmland with few dramatic landmarks.