About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from John F Kennedy International (JFK) to Minneapolis St Paul International (MSP)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from New York to Minneapolis. Left side wins at both ends of the flight. The Manhattan and New York Harbor views on departure are among the best urban aerial views in the world, and the Minneapolis skyline and river confluence on arrival are genuinely rewarding. The mid-flight section over the Great Lakes region offers occasional lake views on the left as well.
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 gives you a direct view of Lower Manhattan's skyline, the Statue of Liberty, and the Hudson River as you climb out. Right side faces south toward the Atlantic with little of interest. Notable sights include: Manhattan skyline and Central Park, Statue of Liberty in Upper New York Bay, Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge directly below on climb-out.
What can I see when landing at Minneapolis St Paul International in Minneapolis?
When landing at Minneapolis St Paul International (MSP), sit on the Left side for the best views. MSP's primary arrival runways 12L/12R bring aircraft in from the northwest, meaning a left-side seat faces south toward downtown Minneapolis and the confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers. You get a clear view of the Minneapolis skyline and the river bends on final approach. Right side faces north toward suburban sprawl. Notable sights include: Downtown Minneapolis skyline, Mississippi River and its distinctive bend near Fort Snelling, Minnesota River confluence with the Mississippi, Lake Minnetonka visible to the west on longer finals.
How long is the flight from New York to Minneapolis?
The flight from John F Kennedy International (JFK) to Minneapolis St Paul International (MSP) takes Approximately 2 hours 45 minutes to 3 hours.
What does the New York to Minneapolis flight path pass over?
The route tracks northwest across Pennsylvania and upstate New York, then over Lake Erie's southern shore and into Ohio and Indiana before crossing into Wisconsin and Minnesota. Lake Erie is visible to the left in the early cruise phase. The flat agricultural patchwork of the Midwest dominates the middle portion. The Mississippi River valley becomes visible as you descend into Minnesota, with the river's wooded bluffs cutting through the otherwise flat terrain.