Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from New York to Lima. The left side wins overall due to the spectacular JFK departure view of Manhattan and New York Harbor, which is one of the most iconic urban aerial views in the world. During the cruise over the Caribbean and northern South America, both sides are broadly similar. The Lima arrival on the right is good but the coastal approach is often obscured by marine layer. The Manhattan departure on the left is the highlight of the flight.

During takeoff from John F Kennedy International (JFK), sit on the Left side for the best views. JFK typically departs east on runway 31L/R or south on 22L/R. On a southbound departure toward Lima, aircraft turn south and then southwest, putting Manhattan, the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, and the New Jersey coastline on the left side. The left seat gets the full sweep of Lower Manhattan's skyline and New York Harbor during the climbing turn. Notable sights include: Manhattan skyline, Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, New York Harbor, Long Island coastline.

When landing at Jorge Chavez International (LIM), sit on the Right side for the best views. Lima's Jorge Chavez airport sits just north of the city center, and aircraft typically approach from the northeast over the Pacific or from the east. On approach from the north or northeast, the right side faces south toward Lima's urban sprawl, Miraflores cliffs, and the Pacific coastline. The Andes foothills are visible to the east on both sides, but the right seat captures the city and ocean simultaneously on final approach. Notable sights include: Lima urban sprawl, Pacific Ocean coastline, Miraflores coastal cliffs, Andean foothills to the east.

The flight from John F Kennedy International (JFK) to Jorge Chavez International (LIM) takes Approximately 8 to 9 hours.

The flight path crosses the western Atlantic, then the Caribbean Sea passing near Haiti and the Dominican Republic, then over Colombia and Ecuador before descending along the Pacific coastal desert into Lima. The Andes are visible in the distance to the right during the final southbound leg over the Pacific coast. The Amazon basin may be visible on the left if routing takes the aircraft over eastern Colombia or Ecuador.