About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from John F Kennedy International (JFK) to Durban International (DUR)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from New York to Durban. The left side delivers the iconic Manhattan and Jamaica Bay departure view, which is genuinely world-class. The right side wins at landing, but the departure spectacle is more dramatic and memorable. Over the Atlantic and southern Africa the views are broadly similar on both sides, so the takeoff experience tips the balance to the left.
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's primary departure runways 31L/31R send aircraft on a northwest heading over Jamaica Bay and then across Brooklyn and Manhattan. The left side gets a direct view of Lower Manhattan's skyline, the Hudson River, and the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge as the aircraft climbs and turns south. This is one of the most iconic urban departure views in aviation. Notable sights include: Manhattan skyline and Lower Manhattan, Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, Jamaica Bay and Rockaway Peninsula, Hudson River.
What can I see when landing at Durban International in Durban?
When landing at Durban International (DUR), sit on the Right side for the best views. Durban's old Louis Botha Airport (DUR) used runway 05/23 as its primary. On approach from the southwest on runway 05, aircraft track northeast over the Berea Ridge and descend toward the Indian Ocean coast. The right side faces north and east, giving views of the Durban city bowl, the harbor, and the Indian Ocean beachfront along the Golden Mile. The left side faces inland toward the Valley of a Thousand Hills. Notable sights include: Durban Harbour and Point, Golden Mile beachfront, Bluff headland, Indian Ocean coastline.
How long is the flight from New York to Durban?
The flight from John F Kennedy International (JFK) to Durban International (DUR) takes Approximately 17 to 18 hours nonstop, though most routings connect via Johannesburg or Addis Ababa, making total journey time 20 to 24 hours.
What does the New York to Durban flight path pass over?
The route tracks southeast across the Atlantic, passing well east of the Cape Verde Islands and crossing the equator over open ocean. The West African coastline of Senegal and Guinea may be distantly visible early in the flight. The route then crosses the South Atlantic, with no significant landmasses until the South African coast near East London or Port Elizabeth, where the Drakensberg escarpment becomes visible inland before descent into Durban.