Left side wins at both ends of the flight. During cruise at 35,000 feet the left side also offers better views of the Colorado Rockies and Mojave Desert terrain as the flight path arcs across the southern US. Right side has limited highlights at any phase of this route.
Flown JFK to LGB? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
New York to Long Beach is 2,459 miles (3,958 km), a flight of about 5 hours 30 minutes.
The flight path crosses the Appalachians over Pennsylvania, then the flat Ohio and Indiana plains, the Mississippi River near St. Louis, the Ozark Plateau, the Texas Panhandle or Oklahoma depending on routing, the Llano Estacado high plains, the New Mexico desert basin and range terrain, the Colorado River near the Arizona-California border, and the Mojave Desert before descending into the Los Angeles Basin
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from JFK
LEFTJFK primarily departs westbound on runway 31L/31R or eastbound on 22L/22R. On a westbound departure toward California, a left-side seat gives you Manhattan's skyline and the Hudson River as the aircraft turns southwest, then the New Jersey Meadowlands and urban sprawl of the Northeast corridor. Right side faces Jamaica Bay and the Atlantic, which is less interesting.
Landing at LGB
LEFTLGB typically lands on runway 30, approaching from the southeast over the Pacific and Long Beach Harbor. A left-side seat on final approach gives you the Port of Long Beach container terminals, the Queen Mary, and downtown Long Beach directly below and to the left. Right side faces inland suburban sprawl.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from John F Kennedy International (JFK) to Long Beach (LGB)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from New York to Long Beach. Left side wins at both ends of the flight. During cruise at 35,000 feet the left side also offers better views of the Colorado Rockies and Mojave Desert terrain as the flight path arcs across the southern US. Right side has limited highlights at any phase of this route.
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 primarily departs westbound on runway 31L/31R or eastbound on 22L/22R. On a westbound departure toward California, a left-side seat gives you Manhattan's skyline and the Hudson River as the aircraft turns southwest, then the New Jersey Meadowlands and urban sprawl of the Northeast corridor. Right side faces Jamaica Bay and the Atlantic, which is less interesting. Notable sights include: Manhattan skyline, Hudson River, Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, New Jersey Meadowlands.
What can I see when landing at Long Beach in Long Beach?
When landing at Long Beach (LGB), sit on the Left side for the best views. LGB typically lands on runway 30, approaching from the southeast over the Pacific and Long Beach Harbor. A left-side seat on final approach gives you the Port of Long Beach container terminals, the Queen Mary, and downtown Long Beach directly below and to the left. Right side faces inland suburban sprawl. Notable sights include: Port of Long Beach, Queen Mary, Long Beach Harbor, downtown Long Beach skyline.
How long is the flight from New York to Long Beach?
The flight from John F Kennedy International (JFK) to Long Beach (LGB) takes about 5 hours 30 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 2,459 miles (3,958 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the New York to Long Beach flight path pass over?
The flight path crosses the Appalachians over Pennsylvania, then the flat Ohio and Indiana plains, the Mississippi River near St. Louis, the Ozark Plateau, the Texas Panhandle or Oklahoma depending on routing, the Llano Estacado high plains, the New Mexico desert basin and range terrain, the Colorado River near the Arizona-California border, and the Mojave Desert before descending into the Los Angeles Basin