About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from John F Kennedy International (JFK) to Phuket International (HKT)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from New York to Phuket. Left side wins at both ends of the flight. The New York departure views are iconic and the Phuket arrival over the Andaman Sea and Phang Nga Bay karsts is genuinely spectacular. The polar-adjacent routing over Central Asia means mid-flight scenery is limited regardless of side, so the departure and arrival views are the deciding factor.
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 departures heading east on runway 13L/13R put Manhattan and the full New York Harbor on the left side. You get a clear view of the skyline, the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, and Brooklyn below before banking northeast. Right side faces the Atlantic Ocean and Long Island's south shore, which is comparatively featureless. Notable sights include: Manhattan skyline, Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, New York Harbor, Jamaica Bay.
What can I see when landing at Phuket International in Phuket?
When landing at Phuket International (HKT), sit on the Left side for the best views. Phuket airport sits on the northern tip of the island and aircraft typically land from the south on runway 09/27 or approach from the north on runway 27. A left-side seat on approach from the north gives you the Andaman Sea coastline, Phang Nga Bay's limestone karst islands, and the island's forested interior. Right side faces inland toward the Thai mainland and is less dramatic. Notable sights include: Phang Nga Bay limestone karsts, Andaman Sea coastline, Phuket's forested interior hills, Bang Tao and Surin beaches.
How long is the flight from New York to Phuket?
The flight from John F Kennedy International (JFK) to Phuket International (HKT) takes Approximately 17 to 19 hours depending on routing and winds, typically with a stop or via polar routing.
What does the New York to Phuket flight path pass over?
The great circle route from JFK to HKT passes over the North Atlantic, then tracks across Central Asia — the Caspian Sea is visible on clear days, followed by the Hindu Kush and Karakoram ranges of Afghanistan and Pakistan, then the Indo-Gangetic Plain of northern India, and finally the Bay of Bengal before descending toward the Malay Peninsula and Thailand