The left side wins overall because the JFK departure offers the most dramatic and iconic views of the flight — Lower Manhattan, the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, and Jamaica Bay are genuinely spectacular from the left seat. The Detroit approach on the right is interesting but more suburban in character. If you can only pick one side for the whole flight, left gives you the better show at the start.
Flown JFK to DTW? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
New York to Detroit is 508 miles (817 km), a flight of about 1 hour 55 minutes.
The flight tracks roughly northwest across New Jersey, then over the Pocono Mountains of northeastern Pennsylvania (visible as rolling forested ridges), across the Southern Tier of New York State or northern Pennsylvania, then over Lake Erie's eastern shoreline near Erie PA or Cleveland OH depending on routing, before descending toward Detroit across the flat agricultural plains of northwestern Ohio and southeastern Michigan.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from JFK
LEFTJFK primarily departs westbound on runways 31L/31R or eastbound on 22L/22R. On a westbound departure toward Detroit, a left-side seat gives you views over Jamaica Bay, the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, and Lower Manhattan as the aircraft banks northwest. The dense urban grid of Brooklyn and Queens spreads out clearly below before the city skyline comes into view.
Landing at DTW
RIGHTDTW typically lands on runways 21L/21R or 27L/27R. On a southwest approach, the right side gives views over the Detroit River, Windsor Ontario across the border, and the downtown Detroit skyline before the aircraft descends over the suburban sprawl of Wayne County. Lake Erie is also visible to the south on clear days during the approach.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from John F Kennedy International (JFK) to Detroit Metro Wayne Co (DTW)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from New York to Detroit. The left side wins overall because the JFK departure offers the most dramatic and iconic views of the flight — Lower Manhattan, the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, and Jamaica Bay are genuinely spectacular from the left seat. The Detroit approach on the right is interesting but more suburban in character. If you can only pick one side for the whole flight, left gives you the better show at the start.
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 primarily departs westbound on runways 31L/31R or eastbound on 22L/22R. On a westbound departure toward Detroit, a left-side seat gives you views over Jamaica Bay, the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, and Lower Manhattan as the aircraft banks northwest. The dense urban grid of Brooklyn and Queens spreads out clearly below before the city skyline comes into view. Notable sights include: Lower Manhattan skyline, Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, Jamaica Bay wildlife refuge, Hudson River.
What can I see when landing at Detroit Metro Wayne Co in Detroit?
When landing at Detroit Metro Wayne Co (DTW), sit on the Right side for the best views. DTW typically lands on runways 21L/21R or 27L/27R. On a southwest approach, the right side gives views over the Detroit River, Windsor Ontario across the border, and the downtown Detroit skyline before the aircraft descends over the suburban sprawl of Wayne County. Lake Erie is also visible to the south on clear days during the approach. Notable sights include: Detroit River, downtown Detroit skyline, Windsor Ontario, Lake Erie (on clear days).
How long is the flight from New York to Detroit?
The flight from John F Kennedy International (JFK) to Detroit Metro Wayne Co (DTW) takes about 1 hour 55 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 508 miles (817 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the New York to Detroit flight path pass over?
The flight tracks roughly northwest across New Jersey, then over the Pocono Mountains of northeastern Pennsylvania (visible as rolling forested ridges), across the Southern Tier of New York State or northern Pennsylvania, then over Lake Erie's eastern shoreline near Erie PA or Cleveland OH depending on routing, before descending toward Detroit across the flat agricultural plains of northwestern Ohio and southeastern Michigan.