About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from John F Kennedy International (JFK) to San Diego International Lindbergh Fld (SAN)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from New York to San Diego. Left wins at takeoff with the Manhattan skyline, but right wins at landing with the spectacular San Diego Bay and Coronado approach. Across the full flight heading southwest, the right side also tracks closer to the Colorado River corridor, the Salton Sea, and the final descent over San Diego Bay. The landing view on the right is one of the most dramatic urban approaches in commercial aviation, which tips the balance.
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 west on runway 31L/31R put Manhattan directly off the left side during the initial climb. You get a clear view of the entire Manhattan skyline, the Hudson River, and the Statue of Liberty before the aircraft turns southwest. Right side gets Jamaica Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, which is far less dramatic. Notable sights include: Manhattan skyline, Hudson River, Statue of Liberty, Verrazano-Narrows Bridge.
What can I see when landing at San Diego International Lindbergh Fld in San Diego?
When landing at San Diego International Lindbergh Fld (SAN), sit on the Right side for the best views. SAN runway 27 approaches from the east over Mission Valley, putting San Diego Bay, Coronado Island, and the Pacific Ocean on the right side during final approach. The left side faces inland toward suburban sprawl and hills. The right side also gives you the famous low-altitude pass over downtown rooftops that makes this one of the most dramatic urban approaches 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 San Diego International Lindbergh Fld (SAN) takes Approximately 5 hours 30 minutes to 6 hours.
What does the New York to San Diego flight path pass over?
The route crosses the Appalachian Mountains over Pennsylvania, then the flat Ohio and Indiana plains, the Mississippi River near St. Louis, the Ozark Plateau, the Texas Panhandle, the Llano Estacado, the Rio Grande near El Paso, the Sonoran Desert of southern Arizona, the Colorado River, the Salton Sea (a large inland saline lake clearly visible from altitude), and the Anza-Borrego Desert before descending into San Diego.