About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from John F Kennedy International (JFK) to Lihue (LIH)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from New York to Lihue. The left side wins at both ends of this flight. Departure gives you Manhattan and New York Harbor, and arrival gives you Kauai's western ridgelines and Nawiliwili Bay. The mid-flight portion is entirely over the open Pacific, so neither side has an advantage for the bulk of the journey.
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's primary departure runways (31L/31R) send aircraft northwest over Jamaica Bay and then across Brooklyn and Manhattan. The left side gets a direct view of Lower Manhattan's skyline, the Hudson River, and the Statue of Liberty as the aircraft climbs and banks westward before turning toward its oceanic track. Notable sights include: Manhattan skyline, Statue of Liberty in Upper New York Bay, Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, Jamaica Bay wildlife refuge directly below.
What can I see when landing at Lihue in Lihue?
When landing at Lihue (LIH), sit on the Left side for the best views. Lihue Airport on Kauai typically uses runway 03 for arrivals from the south, meaning the aircraft approaches from the south-southeast over the ocean and touches down heading north. The left side faces west, giving views of the dramatic Na Pali Coast cliffs and the interior ridgelines of the Haupu Range as the aircraft descends. Right side faces the open Pacific. Notable sights include: Na Pali Coast sea cliffs, Haupu Ridge, Nawiliwili Bay, Kauai's interior mountain ridges.
How long is the flight from New York to Lihue?
The flight from John F Kennedy International (JFK) to Lihue (LIH) takes Approximately 10 to 11 hours.
What does the New York to Lihue flight path pass over?
After departing New York, the route tracks southwest across the continental US briefly before heading out over the Pacific. The flight passes well north of the Hawaiian island chain until the final descent. Midpoint is roughly 2,000 miles west of California over featureless open Pacific Ocean. No significant landmasses are crossed. The flight may pass distantly north of the uninhabited Johnston Atoll but it would not be visible. The Big Island of Hawaii and Maui may be faintly visible on the horizon to the south on the left side during the final approach corridor toward Kauai.