While the left side wins the dramatic New York departure, the right side carries more of the flight's visual variety over the long haul — Bay of Biscay and French coastline, Mediterranean islands, and finally the Nile Delta and Giza pyramids on arrival — giving it the edge across the full journey.
Flight Path
North Atlantic Ocean, southern Ireland/English Channel approach, French coastline near Brittany, Alps foothills over central Europe, Mediterranean Sea, North African coast near the Nile Delta
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from JFK
LEFTTransatlantic departures from JFK typically lift off and bank north over Jamaica Bay, putting the Manhattan skyline and Queens/Brooklyn waterfront right in view on the left side before the aircraft settles onto its eastbound track over Long Island and the Atlantic.
Landing at CAI
RIGHTOn the descent into Cairo from the northwest, the flight path crosses the green ribbon of the Nile and the city's dense sprawl, with the Giza Plateau and the pyramids visible against the tan Western Desert on the right side just before touchdown.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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See exactly which side of the plane gets sun and shade at your departure time.
About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from John F Kennedy International (JFK) to Cairo International (CAI)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from New York to Cairo. While the left side wins the dramatic New York departure, the right side carries more of the flight's visual variety over the long haul — Bay of Biscay and French coastline, Mediterranean islands, and finally the Nile Delta and Giza pyramids on arrival — giving it the edge across the full journey.
What can I see during takeoff from John F Kennedy International in New York?
During takeoff from John F Kennedy International (JFK), sit on the Left side for the best views. Transatlantic departures from JFK typically lift off and bank north over Jamaica Bay, putting the Manhattan skyline and Queens/Brooklyn waterfront right in view on the left side before the aircraft settles onto its eastbound track over Long Island and the Atlantic. Notable sights include: Manhattan skyline (Empire State Building, One World Trade Center), Jamaica Bay wetlands, Rockaway Peninsula, Long Island Sound.
What can I see when landing at Cairo International in Cairo?
When landing at Cairo International (CAI), sit on the Right side for the best views. On the descent into Cairo from the northwest, the flight path crosses the green ribbon of the Nile and the city's dense sprawl, with the Giza Plateau and the pyramids visible against the tan Western Desert on the right side just before touchdown. Notable sights include: Nile River and delta farmland, Cairo's urban sprawl, Giza Pyramids, Western Desert escarpment.
How long is the flight from New York to Cairo?
The flight from John F Kennedy International (JFK) to Cairo International (CAI) takes 10h 50m.
What does the New York to Cairo flight path pass over?
North Atlantic Ocean, southern Ireland/English Channel approach, French coastline near Brittany, Alps foothills over central Europe, Mediterranean Sea, North African coast near the Nile Delta