The right side edges ahead thanks to a glimpse of Greenland's ice sheet and Baffin Island's fjords during the Arctic crossing, followed by a genuinely scenic descent over the Huangpu River and Pudong skyline, giving it more dramatic and varied scenery than the left side's flatter Siberian and Mongolian stretches.
Flight Path
The route's midpoint lies over the Arctic Ocean near Russia's New Siberian Islands, with the Verkhoyansk mountain range and vast Siberian tundra visible below before the path continues south through Yakutia, Mongolia's Gobi Desert, and Inner Mongolia toward eastern China.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from JFK
LEFTJFK departures heading toward the polar route typically climb out over Jamaica Bay and bank north, putting the Manhattan skyline and the East River squarely on the left side of the aircraft. It's the last real landmark-dense view before hours of Canadian wilderness.
Landing at PVG
RIGHTArriving from the north, the descent into PVG typically curves the aircraft to line up on the south-facing runways, putting the Huangpu River and Pudong's skyline on the right side just before landing. It's a strong visual payoff after many hours over empty terrain.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from John F Kennedy International (JFK) to Shanghai Pudong International (PVG)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from New York to Shanghai. The right side edges ahead thanks to a glimpse of Greenland's ice sheet and Baffin Island's fjords during the Arctic crossing, followed by a genuinely scenic descent over the Huangpu River and Pudong skyline, giving it more dramatic and varied scenery than the left side's flatter Siberian and Mongolian stretches.
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 departures heading toward the polar route typically climb out over Jamaica Bay and bank north, putting the Manhattan skyline and the East River squarely on the left side of the aircraft. It's the last real landmark-dense view before hours of Canadian wilderness. Notable sights include: Manhattan skyline, Jamaica Bay, Hudson River mouth, Long Island Sound.
What can I see when landing at Shanghai Pudong International in Shanghai?
When landing at Shanghai Pudong International (PVG), sit on the Right side for the best views. Arriving from the north, the descent into PVG typically curves the aircraft to line up on the south-facing runways, putting the Huangpu River and Pudong's skyline on the right side just before landing. It's a strong visual payoff after many hours over empty terrain. Notable sights include: Pudong skyline (Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai Tower), Huangpu River, Yangtze River estuary, Hangzhou Bay coastline.
How long is the flight from New York to Shanghai?
The flight from John F Kennedy International (JFK) to Shanghai Pudong International (PVG) takes 14h 50m.
What does the New York to Shanghai flight path pass over?
The route's midpoint lies over the Arctic Ocean near Russia's New Siberian Islands, with the Verkhoyansk mountain range and vast Siberian tundra visible below before the path continues south through Yakutia, Mongolia's Gobi Desert, and Inner Mongolia toward eastern China.