The left side wins overall. The JFK departure delivers the most dramatic urban scenery of the flight — Manhattan, the bridges, Jamaica Bay — which outweighs the Casablanca arrival views. Mid-flight over the Atlantic both sides are featureless ocean, and the Azores may be faintly visible on the left side depending on exact routing. The left side also captures the Portuguese and southern Spanish coastline during descent if routing passes near Lisbon.
Flown JFK to CMN? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
New York to Casablanca is 3,601 miles (5,795 km), a flight of about 7 hours 15 minutes.
The route crosses the North Atlantic, passing roughly south of the Azores archipelago (left side may catch a glimpse in good visibility). The flight then crosses into European airspace near Portugal or the Strait of Gibraltar area. The Strait of Gibraltar itself — where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean — may be visible on descent if routing passes nearby, with the Rock of Gibraltar and the Moroccan Rif Mountains in the distance. The final descent crosses the flat Atlantic coastal plain of Morocco.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from JFK
LEFTJFK departures heading east over the Atlantic typically use runways 22L/22R or 31L/31R. On a northeast Atlantic routing, the left side gives you Manhattan's skyline receding to the northwest, the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, and the New Jersey coastline. Right side faces open ocean almost immediately.
Landing at CMN
RIGHTMohammed V Airport sits southeast of Casablanca. Aircraft typically land on runway 35 (heading north) or 17 (heading south). On a northward approach from the south, the right side faces east toward Casablanca city and the Atlantic coast. On a southward approach, the right side still captures the coastal city spread and the broad Atlantic shoreline.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from John F Kennedy International (JFK) to Mohammed V (CMN)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from New York to Casablanca. The left side wins overall. The JFK departure delivers the most dramatic urban scenery of the flight — Manhattan, the bridges, Jamaica Bay — which outweighs the Casablanca arrival views. Mid-flight over the Atlantic both sides are featureless ocean, and the Azores may be faintly visible on the left side depending on exact routing. The left side also captures the Portuguese and southern Spanish coastline during descent if routing passes near Lisbon.
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. JFK departures heading east over the Atlantic typically use runways 22L/22R or 31L/31R. On a northeast Atlantic routing, the left side gives you Manhattan's skyline receding to the northwest, the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, and the New Jersey coastline. Right side faces open ocean almost immediately. Notable sights include: Manhattan skyline to the northwest, Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, Jamaica Bay and Rockaway Peninsula below, Long Island coastline.
What can I see when landing at Mohammed V in Casablanca?
When landing at Mohammed V (CMN), sit on the Right side for the best views. Mohammed V Airport sits southeast of Casablanca. Aircraft typically land on runway 35 (heading north) or 17 (heading south). On a northward approach from the south, the right side faces east toward Casablanca city and the Atlantic coast. On a southward approach, the right side still captures the coastal city spread and the broad Atlantic shoreline. Notable sights include: Casablanca urban sprawl and port, Atlantic Ocean coastline, Hassan II Mosque visible near the waterfront, flat Chaouia plain extending inland.
How long is the flight from New York to Casablanca?
The flight from John F Kennedy International (JFK) to Mohammed V (CMN) takes about 7 hours 15 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 3,601 miles (5,795 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the New York to Casablanca flight path pass over?
The route crosses the North Atlantic, passing roughly south of the Azores archipelago (left side may catch a glimpse in good visibility). The flight then crosses into European airspace near Portugal or the Strait of Gibraltar area. The Strait of Gibraltar itself — where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean — may be visible on descent if routing passes nearby, with the Rock of Gibraltar and the Moroccan Rif Mountains in the distance. The final descent crosses the flat Atlantic coastal plain of Morocco.