About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from John F Kennedy International (JFK) to Fiumicino (FCO)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from New York to Rome. Left side wins at both ends of the flight. At departure you get Manhattan and Jamaica Bay; at arrival you face Rome's city center and the Alban Hills. Over the Atlantic the views are largely ocean, but the left side also picks up the southern coast of Ireland and Cornwall during the transatlantic crossing, and the Alps are visible from both sides as you cross northern Italy.
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 runway 31L/31R sends 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 banks northeast over Long Island Sound. Notable sights include: Manhattan skyline and Lower Manhattan, Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, Jamaica Bay and Rockaway Peninsula, Long Island Sound.
What can I see when landing at Fiumicino in Rome?
When landing at Fiumicino (FCO), sit on the Left side for the best views. FCO typically uses runways 16L/16R or 25, with approaches often coming from the northwest or northeast over the Tyrrhenian Sea. On the common runway 16 approach heading south, the left side faces east and captures Rome's historic center including the Colosseum area, the Tiber River winding through the city, and the Alban Hills volcanic ridge southeast of the city. Notable sights include: Rome's historic city center and Tiber River, Alban Hills (Castelli Romani) to the southeast, Tyrrhenian Sea coastline, Vatican area and Castel Sant'Angelo.
How long is the flight from New York to Rome?
The flight from John F Kennedy International (JFK) to Fiumicino (FCO) takes Approximately 8 to 9 hours.
What does the New York to Rome flight path pass over?
The flight tracks northeast from JFK, crossing the southern tip of Newfoundland or Nova Scotia, then arcing across the North Atlantic on a great circle route passing south of Iceland. The Irish coast appears roughly 5 to 6 hours in, followed by southern England or the English Channel. The route then crosses France, with the Alps visible as a broad white mountain barrier before descending into the Italian peninsula over the Po Valley and Apennines toward Rome.