Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from New York to Beijing. While left offers better takeoff views from New York, right seats dominate the longer flight segment with views of the Yanshan Mountains and Beijing's approach. The landing experience is more visually rewarding and lasts longer than the takeoff sequence.

During takeoff from John F Kennedy International (JFK), sit on the Left side for the best views. Left seats offer views of Long Island Sound and the Connecticut coastline during the initial climb-out heading northwest. You'll see the irregular shoreline and barrier islands that define the New York metro area's northern boundary. Notable sights include: Long Island Sound, Connecticut coastline, Jamaica Bay (south of runway), Hudson River estuary.

When landing at Capital (PEK), sit on the Right side for the best views. Right seats provide excellent views during descent into Beijing. You'll see the North China Plain's agricultural patchwork and the Yanshan Mountains to the northwest of the airport, plus the urban sprawl of Beijing itself as you descend toward Capital Airport. Notable sights include: Yanshan Mountains, North China Plain agricultural fields, Beijing urban area, Chaobai River valley.

The flight from John F Kennedy International (JFK) to Capital (PEK) takes Approximately 13-14 hours.

The flight path crosses the North American interior (Appalachian Mountains visible early), then the Atlantic Ocean (no landmarks), then over Greenland's ice sheet and Arctic regions (ice and barren terrain), before crossing into Russia over the Siberian taiga (vast forested plains), then descending over Mongolia's steppe landscape (open grassland and scattered mountains), and finally the North China Plain approaching Beijing.