The right side wins both ends of the flight: Manhattan's skyline on departure and the Rio de la Plata estuary with the Buenos Aires skyline on arrival, while the left side offers only featureless ocean and beach at takeoff and flat pampas at landing.
Flight Path
The great-circle path stays far out over the open Atlantic, passing well east of the Caribbean islands and well offshore of the Brazilian coast, both of which remain too distant to see; the multi-hour cruise segment is open ocean with no visible landmarks on either side.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from JFK
RIGHTSouthbound departures off JFK typically roll on runway 31L and bank left toward the ocean, putting the Manhattan skyline and Jamaica Bay on the right side of the aircraft during the climb. The left side mostly shows open Atlantic and the Rockaway Peninsula's featureless barrier beach.
Landing at EZE
RIGHTArrivals into EZE from the north commonly cross the wide Rio de la Plata estuary and pass near Buenos Aires before turning onto final approach, putting the river and city skyline on the right side. The left side during this turn faces inland pampas farmland with little visual interest.
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 Ezeiza Ministro Pistarini (EZE)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from New York to Buenos Aires. The right side wins both ends of the flight: Manhattan's skyline on departure and the Rio de la Plata estuary with the Buenos Aires skyline on arrival, while the left side offers only featureless ocean and beach at takeoff and flat pampas at landing.
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. Southbound departures off JFK typically roll on runway 31L and bank left toward the ocean, putting the Manhattan skyline and Jamaica Bay on the right side of the aircraft during the climb. The left side mostly shows open Atlantic and the Rockaway Peninsula's featureless barrier beach. Notable sights include: Manhattan skyline, Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, Brooklyn/Queens waterfront, Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge in the distance.
What can I see when landing at Ezeiza Ministro Pistarini in Buenos Aires?
When landing at Ezeiza Ministro Pistarini (EZE), sit on the Right side for the best views. Arrivals into EZE from the north commonly cross the wide Rio de la Plata estuary and pass near Buenos Aires before turning onto final approach, putting the river and city skyline on the right side. The left side during this turn faces inland pampas farmland with little visual interest. Notable sights include: Rio de la Plata estuary, Buenos Aires skyline (Puerto Madero towers), Uruguayan coastline near Colonia in the far distance, flat green pampas near the airport.
How long is the flight from New York to Buenos Aires?
The flight from John F Kennedy International (JFK) to Ezeiza Ministro Pistarini (EZE) takes 10h 15m.
What does the New York to Buenos Aires flight path pass over?
The great-circle path stays far out over the open Atlantic, passing well east of the Caribbean islands and well offshore of the Brazilian coast, both of which remain too distant to see; the multi-hour cruise segment is open ocean with no visible landmarks on either side.