Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from New York to Reykjavik. The left side delivers the iconic Manhattan skyline on departure, which is one of the most dramatic urban aerial views in the world. The landing view from the right is excellent but the departure experience tips the balance to the left seat overall.

During takeoff from John F Kennedy International (JFK), sit on the Left side for the best views. JFK departures heading northeast on runway 31L/31R put Manhattan directly off the left side during climb-out. You get a clear view of the entire Manhattan skyline, the East River crossings, and Brooklyn below before the aircraft turns north over Long Island Sound. Notable sights include: Manhattan skyline, Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, East River bridges (Brooklyn, Manhattan, Williamsburg), Jamaica Bay.

When landing at Reykjavik (RKV), sit on the Right side for the best views. Reykjavik domestic airport (RKV) sits on the western edge of the city, and aircraft typically approach from the east or northeast. A right-side seat gives you Reykjavik's harbor, the Faxaflói Bay coastline, and Mount Esja across the water as you descend. The Snæfellsjökull glacier on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula is also visible to the northwest on clear days. Notable sights include: Mount Esja, Faxaflói Bay, Reykjavik harbor and city center, Snæfellsjökull glacier (on clear days).

The flight from John F Kennedy International (JFK) to Reykjavik (RKV) takes Approximately 6 to 6.5 hours.

The route tracks northeast over Long Island Sound, then crosses Nova Scotia and Newfoundland before heading out over the North Atlantic. Passengers may see the coast of Labrador and southern Greenland's iceberg-dotted waters if routing takes the great circle path north. The Reykjanes Ridge submarine feature is not visible but the sea ice and icebergs near Greenland's southeastern coast can be spotted on clear days. The final approach crosses the volcanic lava fields of the Reykjanes Peninsula before reaching Reykjavik.