The left side wins overall on the strength of the Las Vegas approach, which offers a rare combination of desert mountains and a recognizable city skyline, outweighing the right side's brief Manhattan glimpse at takeoff. Both sides share the mid-flight views of Appalachian ridgelines and possibly the Rockies' eastern foothills, but the left side's approach into McCarran is the standout segment.
Flight Path
Appalachian Mountains (Pennsylvania/Ohio ridges), Ohio River Valley, Great Plains, and the eastern edge of the Rocky Mountains near Colorado/Utah before descending toward the Mojave Desert
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from JFK
RIGHTJFK departures to the west typically bank south over Jamaica Bay and the Rockaways before turning west, giving right-side passengers a view of the Manhattan skyline and Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge. Left side mostly sees Long Island suburbs and open water.
Landing at LAS
LEFTFlights into LAS from the east commonly approach over the Mojave Desert and descend past the McCullough Range before turning toward the Strip, giving left-side passengers dramatic desert mountain views and a Las Vegas skyline pass. Right side sees mostly empty desert basin during final approach.
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 Mc Carran International (LAS)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from New York to Las Vegas. The left side wins overall on the strength of the Las Vegas approach, which offers a rare combination of desert mountains and a recognizable city skyline, outweighing the right side's brief Manhattan glimpse at takeoff. Both sides share the mid-flight views of Appalachian ridgelines and possibly the Rockies' eastern foothills, but the left side's approach into McCarran is the standout segment.
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 Right side for the best views. JFK departures to the west typically bank south over Jamaica Bay and the Rockaways before turning west, giving right-side passengers a view of the Manhattan skyline and Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge. Left side mostly sees Long Island suburbs and open water. Notable sights include: Lower Manhattan skyline, Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, Jamaica Bay, Rockaway Peninsula.
What can I see when landing at Mc Carran International in Las Vegas?
When landing at Mc Carran International (LAS), sit on the Left side for the best views. Flights into LAS from the east commonly approach over the Mojave Desert and descend past the McCullough Range before turning toward the Strip, giving left-side passengers dramatic desert mountain views and a Las Vegas skyline pass. Right side sees mostly empty desert basin during final approach. Notable sights include: Lake Mead, McCullough Range, Las Vegas Strip skyline, Spring Mountains.
How long is the flight from New York to Las Vegas?
The flight from John F Kennedy International (JFK) to Mc Carran International (LAS) takes 5h 40m.
What does the New York to Las Vegas flight path pass over?
Appalachian Mountains (Pennsylvania/Ohio ridges), Ohio River Valley, Great Plains, and the eastern edge of the Rocky Mountains near Colorado/Utah before descending toward the Mojave Desert