Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from New York to Newark. This is an extremely short flight — often under 20 minutes — so the landing approach into EWR on the right side delivers the single best view of the entire trip: a sustained, low-altitude look at New York Harbor, the Statue of Liberty, and the Manhattan skyline on final approach. That beats the takeoff views from the left, which are good but more fleeting.

During takeoff from John F Kennedy International (JFK), sit on the Left side for the best views. JFK typically departs westbound on runway 31L/31R or eastbound on 22L/22R. On a westbound departure toward Newark, the left side faces south over Jamaica Bay and then swings to give views of Lower Manhattan and the Hudson River as the aircraft turns northwest. The right side faces north toward Queens residential areas with far less visual interest. Notable sights include: Jamaica Bay and its wildlife refuge, Lower Manhattan skyline, Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, Upper New York Bay.

When landing at Newark Liberty International (EWR), sit on the Right side for the best views. EWR typically lands on runways 22L/22R or 29, approaching from the northeast over New Jersey. On approach from the east, the right side faces south and southeast, giving clear views of Lower Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty, and New York Harbor as the aircraft descends over the New Jersey flatlands. The left side looks north toward industrial Newark and the Meadowlands. Notable sights include: Lower Manhattan skyline, Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor, Upper New York Bay, Bayonne and the Kill Van Kull waterway.

The flight from John F Kennedy International (JFK) to Newark Liberty International (EWR) takes 15 to 25 minutes, though ground delays often make the taxi time longer than the actual flight.

The flight crosses directly over the New York Harbor complex at low altitude, passing over or near Upper New York Bay, the Kill Van Kull, and the northern tip of Staten Island. There is no significant climb — the aircraft barely reaches cruising altitude before beginning descent. The entire route is over dense urban and industrial landscape with water features throughout.