Left side wins at both ends of the flight. Over the Atlantic the views are largely featureless ocean regardless of side, but the left side also tracks closer to southern Greenland's ice sheet edge and Iceland's volcanic coastline during the great circle routing, offering occasional dramatic glimpses when flying below cloud cover.
Flight Path
The great circle route from JFK to Helsinki arcs well north, passing over Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, then crossing the North Atlantic near southern Greenland where the ice sheet edge and fjords may be visible. The route then passes south of Iceland before crossing northern Scotland and Scandinavia, with the Norwegian coast, Swedish forests, and the Gulf of Bothnia visible on descent into Finland.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from JFK
LEFTJFK typically departs eastward on runways 31L/31R or 22L/22R depending on wind. On the common 31L/31R departure heading (northwest), the left side gives you Manhattan's skyline, the Hudson River, and the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge as the aircraft banks north. On 22L/22R departures, the left side still captures Jamaica Bay and the Brooklyn waterfront before turning northeast.
Landing at HEL
LEFTHelsinki Vantaa typically lands on runway 22L/22R or 04R/04L. On the common southwesterly approach to runway 22, the left side faces southeast over the Helsinki city center, the South Harbour, and the archipelago islands of the Gulf of Finland. This is the more visually rewarding side with the city and coastline clearly visible.
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 Helsinki Vantaa (HEL)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from New York to Helsinki. Left side wins at both ends of the flight. Over the Atlantic the views are largely featureless ocean regardless of side, but the left side also tracks closer to southern Greenland's ice sheet edge and Iceland's volcanic coastline during the great circle routing, offering occasional dramatic glimpses when flying below cloud cover.
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 typically departs eastward on runways 31L/31R or 22L/22R depending on wind. On the common 31L/31R departure heading (northwest), the left side gives you Manhattan's skyline, the Hudson River, and the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge as the aircraft banks north. On 22L/22R departures, the left side still captures Jamaica Bay and the Brooklyn waterfront before turning northeast. Notable sights include: Manhattan skyline, Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, Jamaica Bay, Long Island Sound.
What can I see when landing at Helsinki Vantaa in Helsinki?
When landing at Helsinki Vantaa (HEL), sit on the Left side for the best views. Helsinki Vantaa typically lands on runway 22L/22R or 04R/04L. On the common southwesterly approach to runway 22, the left side faces southeast over the Helsinki city center, the South Harbour, and the archipelago islands of the Gulf of Finland. This is the more visually rewarding side with the city and coastline clearly visible. Notable sights include: Helsinki city centre and South Harbour, Gulf of Finland archipelago, Suomenlinna sea fortress islands, frozen or open Baltic Sea ice.
How long is the flight from New York to Helsinki?
The flight from John F Kennedy International (JFK) to Helsinki Vantaa (HEL) takes Approximately 8 to 9 hours.
What does the New York to Helsinki flight path pass over?
The great circle route from JFK to Helsinki arcs well north, passing over Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, then crossing the North Atlantic near southern Greenland where the ice sheet edge and fjords may be visible. The route then passes south of Iceland before crossing northern Scotland and Scandinavia, with the Norwegian coast, Swedish forests, and the Gulf of Bothnia visible on descent into Finland.