The left seat wins overall. The JFK departure offers the iconic New York Harbor and Manhattan views that are hard to beat, and during the flight the left side also faces east toward the Brazilian coast as you approach from the Atlantic, giving glimpses of the coastline near Recife and Salvador during descent into South America.
Flown JFK to GRU? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
New York to Sao Paulo is 4,762 miles (7,664 km), a flight of about 9 hours 30 minutes.
The route tracks southeast over the Atlantic, passing well east of Bermuda, then crossing the equatorial Atlantic roughly between the Brazilian bulge and West Africa. The Brazilian coastline near Recife and Natal becomes visible as the aircraft crosses into South American airspace. The flight then tracks inland over the cerrado plateau of central Brazil, passing over the states of Bahia and Minas Gerais before descending into the São Paulo metropolitan region. The Serra da Mantiqueira mountain range is visible during descent.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from JFK
LEFTJFK's primary departure runways (31L/31R) head northwest, then aircraft typically turn south over the Atlantic. A left seat gives you the initial view back over Jamaica Bay, the Rockaways, and lower Manhattan's skyline receding to the north. Right seat faces open ocean almost immediately.
Landing at GRU
RIGHTGRU typically uses runways 09R/27L or 09L/27R. On approach from the north, aircraft descend over the Serra da Cantareira and the northern suburbs of São Paulo. The right side gives a better view of the dense urban sprawl of São Paulo city center and the Tietê River valley as you descend.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from John F Kennedy International (JFK) to Guarulhos (GRU)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from New York to Sao Paulo. The left seat wins overall. The JFK departure offers the iconic New York Harbor and Manhattan views that are hard to beat, and during the flight the left side also faces east toward the Brazilian coast as you approach from the Atlantic, giving glimpses of the coastline near Recife and Salvador during descent into South America.
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) head northwest, then aircraft typically turn south over the Atlantic. A left seat gives you the initial view back over Jamaica Bay, the Rockaways, and lower Manhattan's skyline receding to the north. Right seat faces open ocean almost immediately. Notable sights include: Jamaica Bay and its barrier islands, Lower Manhattan skyline to the north, Coney Island and Brighton Beach shoreline, Verrazano-Narrows Bridge.
What can I see when landing at Guarulhos in Sao Paulo?
When landing at Guarulhos (GRU), sit on the Right side for the best views. GRU typically uses runways 09R/27L or 09L/27R. On approach from the north, aircraft descend over the Serra da Cantareira and the northern suburbs of São Paulo. The right side gives a better view of the dense urban sprawl of São Paulo city center and the Tietê River valley as you descend. Notable sights include: Serra da Cantareira forested ridge, São Paulo city center skyline, Tietê River and its reservoirs, Guarulhos urban sprawl.
How long is the flight from New York to Sao Paulo?
The flight from John F Kennedy International (JFK) to Guarulhos (GRU) takes about 9 hours 30 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 4,762 miles (7,664 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the New York to Sao Paulo flight path pass over?
The route tracks southeast over the Atlantic, passing well east of Bermuda, then crossing the equatorial Atlantic roughly between the Brazilian bulge and West Africa. The Brazilian coastline near Recife and Natal becomes visible as the aircraft crosses into South American airspace. The flight then tracks inland over the cerrado plateau of central Brazil, passing over the states of Bahia and Minas Gerais before descending into the São Paulo metropolitan region. The Serra da Mantiqueira mountain range is visible during descent.