Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from New York to Hong Kong. Left side wins at both ends of the flight. Over the Pacific the views are largely ocean regardless of side, but the left side also tracks closer to the Aleutian Islands arc and the Kamchatka Peninsula coastline during the great circle routing, offering occasional land glimpses that the right side misses.

During takeoff from John F Kennedy International (JFK), sit on the Left side for the best views. JFK primarily departs eastward on runway 31L/31R or westward on 22L/22R depending on winds. On the dominant eastward departures heading northeast toward the transatlantic route, the left side gets Manhattan's skyline as the aircraft banks north, plus Jamaica Bay and the Rockaways below. The right side faces south toward the Atlantic with little to see. Notable sights include: Manhattan skyline to the northwest, Jamaica Bay directly below, Verrazano-Narrows Bridge to the southwest, Long Island Sound as the aircraft climbs north.

When landing at Hong Kong International (HKG), sit on the Left side for the best views. HKIA sits on Lantau Island and aircraft typically approach from the east or northeast on runway 07L/07R. On the standard ILS approach from the east, the left side looks north over the Pearl River Delta, Kowloon Peninsula, and Hong Kong's Victoria Harbour with the dramatic skyline. The right side faces south toward open South China Sea. Notable sights include: Victoria Harbour and Hong Kong Island skyline, Kowloon Peninsula urban density, Pearl River Delta estuary to the north, Lantau Island peaks (Lantau Peak at 3,064 ft) visible ahead.

The flight from John F Kennedy International (JFK) to Hong Kong International (HKG) takes Approximately 15 to 16 hours.

The great circle route arcs north over Canada's Quebec and Ontario, crosses Hudson Bay, then tracks over the Canadian Arctic and Alaska before descending over the North Pacific. Key features include the Aleutian Island chain visible as a dotted arc of volcanic islands, the Kamchatka Peninsula's rugged coastline and volcanic peaks, the Sea of Japan, the Korean Peninsula, and finally the South China coast approaching Hong Kong.