The left side strings together the flight's most dramatic scenery: Manhattan and the New England coast at takeoff, Greenland's ice cap and fjords, Arctic Norway's rugged coastline near the route's midpoint, and the Hindu Kush/Pamir foothills before descending over Delhi's old city along the Yamuna. The right side spends much of the flight over open Atlantic water and flat Russian/Central Asian steppe, with far fewer distinctive landmarks.
Flight Path
The great-circle midpoint falls near 69°N, 17°E over Arctic Norway, meaning the route passes close to Norway's fjord-cut coastline and the Lofoten Islands before continuing east across northern Russia, the Ural Mountains, and the steppe of Kazakhstan toward Central Asia.
Great circle distance and headings ›
Phase by phase

Takeoff from JFK
LEFTJFK departures heading toward the polar route climb out on a north-northeast track, putting Manhattan's skyline and Long Island Sound on the left almost immediately after liftoff, followed by the New England coastline as the climb continues. The right side only shows the flat Rockaway peninsula and open Atlantic water.

Landing at DEL
LEFTArriving from the northwest on the standard easterly approach into runway 11, the aircraft's left side faces the historic core of Delhi, giving a view over the Yamuna River and the dense old city grid during descent. The right side mostly overlooks flatter Haryana farmland and Gurugram's suburban sprawl.
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 Indira Gandhi International (DEL)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from New York to Delhi. The left side strings together the flight's most dramatic scenery: Manhattan and the New England coast at takeoff, Greenland's ice cap and fjords, Arctic Norway's rugged coastline near the route's midpoint, and the Hindu Kush/Pamir foothills before descending over Delhi's old city along the Yamuna. The right side spends much of the flight over open Atlantic water and flat Russian/Central Asian steppe, with far fewer distinctive landmarks.
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 toward the polar route climb out on a north-northeast track, putting Manhattan's skyline and Long Island Sound on the left almost immediately after liftoff, followed by the New England coastline as the climb continues. The right side only shows the flat Rockaway peninsula and open Atlantic water. Notable sights include: Manhattan skyline, Long Island Sound, Connecticut/Rhode Island coastline, Cape Cod in the distance.
What can I see when landing at Indira Gandhi International in Delhi?
When landing at Indira Gandhi International (DEL), sit on the Left side for the best views. Arriving from the northwest on the standard easterly approach into runway 11, the aircraft's left side faces the historic core of Delhi, giving a view over the Yamuna River and the dense old city grid during descent. The right side mostly overlooks flatter Haryana farmland and Gurugram's suburban sprawl. Notable sights include: Yamuna River, Old Delhi's dense urban core, Delhi Ridge greenery, hazy Delhi skyline.
How long is the flight from New York to Delhi?
The flight from John F Kennedy International (JFK) to Indira Gandhi International (DEL) takes 15h 05m.
What does the New York to Delhi flight path pass over?
The great-circle midpoint falls near 69°N, 17°E over Arctic Norway, meaning the route passes close to Norway's fjord-cut coastline and the Lofoten Islands before continuing east across northern Russia, the Ural Mountains, and the steppe of Kazakhstan toward Central Asia.