While the left side has a spectacular JFK departure view, the right side wins overall. It captures the San Diego Bay arrival — one of the most dramatic urban approaches in the country — and during the transcontinental cruise, the right side faces south, giving views of the Appalachian ridges in Pennsylvania, the Mississippi River valley, Texas Hill Country, and the Sonoran Desert approaching Arizona and Southern California.
Flown JFK to NZY? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
New York to San Diego is 2,443 miles (3,932 km), a flight of about 5 hours 45 minutes.
The flight tracks roughly along the 35th to 40th parallel westbound. Notable features include the Appalachian Mountains over Pennsylvania and West Virginia, the Mississippi River crossing near Memphis or St. Louis, the flat agricultural plains of Oklahoma and Texas panhandle, the Llano Estacado escarpment, the Rio Grande valley near El Paso, the Sonoran Desert and Colorado River crossing into California, and the Salton Sea visible to the south before the final descent into San Diego.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from JFK
LEFTJFK typically departs westbound on runway 31L/31R or eastbound on 22L/22R. On a westbound departure toward San Diego, left-side passengers get Manhattan's skyline and the Hudson River as the aircraft banks south and west. The entire lower Manhattan skyline, the Statue of Liberty, and New York Harbor are clearly visible on the left.
Landing at NZY
RIGHTNZY is on Coronado Island in San Diego Bay. Aircraft typically approach from the northeast or east, meaning right-side passengers get the full panorama of San Diego Bay, downtown San Diego, Coronado Island, and the Pacific Ocean beyond Point Loma. The approach over the bay is one of the most visually striking urban arrivals in the US.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from John F Kennedy International (JFK) to North Island Nas (NZY)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from New York to San Diego. While the left side has a spectacular JFK departure view, the right side wins overall. It captures the San Diego Bay arrival — one of the most dramatic urban approaches in the country — and during the transcontinental cruise, the right side faces south, giving views of the Appalachian ridges in Pennsylvania, the Mississippi River valley, Texas Hill Country, and the Sonoran Desert approaching Arizona and Southern California.
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 typically departs westbound on runway 31L/31R or eastbound on 22L/22R. On a westbound departure toward San Diego, left-side passengers get Manhattan's skyline and the Hudson River as the aircraft banks south and west. The entire lower Manhattan skyline, the Statue of Liberty, and New York Harbor are clearly visible on the left. Notable sights include: Manhattan skyline, Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor, Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, New Jersey Palisades along the Hudson.
What can I see when landing at North Island Nas in San Diego?
When landing at North Island Nas (NZY), sit on the Right side for the best views. NZY is on Coronado Island in San Diego Bay. Aircraft typically approach from the northeast or east, meaning right-side passengers get the full panorama of San Diego Bay, downtown San Diego, Coronado Island, and the Pacific Ocean beyond Point Loma. The approach over the bay is one of the most visually striking urban arrivals in the US. Notable sights include: San Diego Bay, Coronado Island and the Coronado Bridge, downtown San Diego skyline, Point Loma peninsula.
How long is the flight from New York to San Diego?
The flight from John F Kennedy International (JFK) to North Island Nas (NZY) takes about 5 hours 45 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 2,443 miles (3,932 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the New York to San Diego flight path pass over?
The flight tracks roughly along the 35th to 40th parallel westbound. Notable features include the Appalachian Mountains over Pennsylvania and West Virginia, the Mississippi River crossing near Memphis or St. Louis, the flat agricultural plains of Oklahoma and Texas panhandle, the Llano Estacado escarpment, the Rio Grande valley near El Paso, the Sonoran Desert and Colorado River crossing into California, and the Salton Sea visible to the south before the final descent into San Diego.