Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from New York to Washington. The left side captures the spectacular JFK departure over Jamaica Bay and the full Manhattan skyline, which is the visual highlight of this short flight. During cruise the flight tracks southwest over New Jersey and Delaware, where the left side also picks up the Delaware River and Chesapeake Bay glimpses. The landing view on the right at IAD is good but shorter in duration and less dramatic than the takeoff sequence.

During takeoff from John F Kennedy International (JFK), sit on the Left side for the best views. JFK primarily departs westbound or southbound depending on wind. On the common westbound departure from runway 31L/31R, the left side faces south over Jamaica Bay and the Atlantic coastline, then swings to give views of Lower Manhattan, the Hudson River, and New Jersey. The right side faces north toward Queens and Long Island suburbs with far less visual interest. Notable sights include: Jamaica Bay and its wildlife refuge directly below, Lower Manhattan skyline including One World Trade Center, the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge spanning the harbor entrance, the Hudson River cutting north-south through the urban grid.

When landing at Washington Dulles International (IAD), sit on the Right side for the best views. IAD is located in northern Virginia and aircraft typically approach from the northeast on runways oriented roughly east-west. On approach from the northeast, the right side faces south and southeast, giving views over the Potomac River, the National Mall corridor, and the Virginia suburbs. The left side looks north toward Maryland exurbs with less to see. Notable sights include: Potomac River visible as a wide curve southwest of DC, the National Mall and Capitol building visible in the distance on clear days, Dulles Access Road cutting straight toward the terminal, the Blue Ridge Mountains on the western horizon.

The flight from John F Kennedy International (JFK) to Washington Dulles International (IAD) takes Approximately 55-70 minutes.

The flight tracks southwest from JFK over central New Jersey, crossing the Delaware River near Trenton, then over northern Delaware and the northern tip of the Chesapeake Bay. At cruise altitude of around 20,000-28,000 feet on this short hop, the flat coastal plain of New Jersey and Delaware is visible below, with the Delaware River and Delaware Bay visible as major water features. The Chesapeake Bay's northern reach appears before descent into IAD.