Despite roughly 13 hours of featureless open Atlantic Ocean on both sides, the left side's Cape Town arrival delivers a genuinely dramatic, landmark-dense view of Table Mountain and the city that outweighs the brief NYC skyline glimpse on departure.
Flight Path
Open mid-Atlantic Ocean near the equator, with no land visible for several thousand miles in either direction
Great circle distance and headings ›.jpg?width=600)
Phase by phase
Takeoff from JFK
RIGHTDepartures from JFK bound for the South Atlantic typically use the 13L/13R runways, initiating a turn that puts Manhattan's skyline and the Long Island/Rockaway coastline on the right side of the aircraft during the climb-out before heading out over open ocean.
Landing at CPT
LEFTOn the standard northbound approach to Cape Town's runway 01, the aircraft tracks up the Cape Peninsula's east side, putting Table Mountain, the city bowl, and Table Bay's coastline on the left side of the cabin during final descent.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from John F Kennedy International (JFK) to Cape Town International (CPT)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from New York to Cape Town. Despite roughly 13 hours of featureless open Atlantic Ocean on both sides, the left side's Cape Town arrival delivers a genuinely dramatic, landmark-dense view of Table Mountain and the city that outweighs the brief NYC skyline glimpse on departure.
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. Departures from JFK bound for the South Atlantic typically use the 13L/13R runways, initiating a turn that puts Manhattan's skyline and the Long Island/Rockaway coastline on the right side of the aircraft during the climb-out before heading out over open ocean. Notable sights include: Manhattan skyline, Jamaica Bay, Rockaway Peninsula, Atlantic coastline.
What can I see when landing at Cape Town International in Cape Town?
When landing at Cape Town International (CPT), sit on the Left side for the best views. On the standard northbound approach to Cape Town's runway 01, the aircraft tracks up the Cape Peninsula's east side, putting Table Mountain, the city bowl, and Table Bay's coastline on the left side of the cabin during final descent. Notable sights include: Table Mountain, Cape Town city bowl, Table Bay, Cape Peninsula coastline.
How long is the flight from New York to Cape Town?
The flight from John F Kennedy International (JFK) to Cape Town International (CPT) takes 14h 35m.
What does the New York to Cape Town flight path pass over?
Open mid-Atlantic Ocean near the equator, with no land visible for several thousand miles in either direction