The right side wins overall thanks to the dramatic Manhattan skyline view during takeoff and glimpses of the Appalachian foothills during cruise, outweighing the left side's more modest Charlotte skyline view on arrival.
Flight Path
Appalachian foothills and Blue Ridge Mountain ridgelines visible to the west over Virginia and western North Carolina, with the Shenandoah Valley faintly visible in clear conditions.
Great circle distance and headings ›.jpg?width=600)
.jpeg?width=600)
Phase by phase
Takeoff from JFK
RIGHTDeparting JFK toward the southwest, the right side offers a view back across Jamaica Bay toward the Manhattan skyline and the New Jersey Meadowlands, while the left side only shows the flat sprawl of Long Island and open Atlantic water.
Landing at CLT
LEFTOn the southbound approach into CLT during typical south-flow operations, the left side faces east toward Charlotte's modest uptown skyline, while the right side shows only rural Piedmont farmland and forest.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
Will your flight be in sunlight?
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 Charlotte Douglas International (CLT)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from New York to Charlotte. The right side wins overall thanks to the dramatic Manhattan skyline view during takeoff and glimpses of the Appalachian foothills during cruise, outweighing the left side's more modest Charlotte skyline view on arrival.
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 Right side for the best views. Departing JFK toward the southwest, the right side offers a view back across Jamaica Bay toward the Manhattan skyline and the New Jersey Meadowlands, while the left side only shows the flat sprawl of Long Island and open Atlantic water. Notable sights include: Manhattan skyline, Jamaica Bay, Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, New Jersey Meadowlands.
What can I see when landing at Charlotte Douglas International in Charlotte?
When landing at Charlotte Douglas International (CLT), sit on the Left side for the best views. On the southbound approach into CLT during typical south-flow operations, the left side faces east toward Charlotte's modest uptown skyline, while the right side shows only rural Piedmont farmland and forest. Notable sights include: Charlotte uptown skyline, Lake Wylie, Catawba River, Piedmont farmland.
How long is the flight from New York to Charlotte?
The flight from John F Kennedy International (JFK) to Charlotte Douglas International (CLT) takes 1h 45m.
What does the New York to Charlotte flight path pass over?
Appalachian foothills and Blue Ridge Mountain ridgelines visible to the west over Virginia and western North Carolina, with the Shenandoah Valley faintly visible in clear conditions.