About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from John F Kennedy International (JFK) to Arturo Merino Benitez International (SCL)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from New York to Santiago. The right side wins overall. While the left side has the better JFK departure view of Manhattan, the right side delivers the spectacular Andes approach into Santiago — one of the most dramatic mountain arrivals in commercial aviation. The right side also tracks the Pacific coastline of South America during the cruise portion, with the Atacama Desert and Chilean coastal ranges visible in daylight hours.
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 eastward on runways 13L/13R or westward on 31L/31R. On the common eastward departure over Jamaica Bay, the left side gives you a clear look back at Lower Manhattan's skyline and the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge as the aircraft banks south. On westward departures, left side still captures the Manhattan skyline during the climbing turn. Notable sights include: Lower Manhattan skyline, Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, Jamaica Bay wetlands, Staten Island.
What can I see when landing at Arturo Merino Benitez International in Santiago?
When landing at Arturo Merino Benitez International (SCL), sit on the Right side for the best views. SCL typically lands on runway 17/35, with the dominant approach from the north heading south. On this approach, the right side faces west toward the Andes, giving you a prolonged and dramatic view of the Cordillera including Aconcagua and the high peaks forming the Chile-Argentina border. The left side faces east over the flat Santiago basin. Notable sights include: Aconcagua (6,961m), Cordillera de los Andes, Santiago urban grid, Maipo River valley.
How long is the flight from New York to Santiago?
The flight from John F Kennedy International (JFK) to Arturo Merino Benitez International (SCL) takes Approximately 10 to 11 hours.
What does the New York to Santiago flight path pass over?
The route tracks south over the Caribbean Sea and crosses the northern coast of South America near Venezuela or Colombia, then follows the spine of South America southward. Passengers may see the Amazon basin's vast river network in Brazil, the altiplano of Bolivia and northern Argentina, the Atacama Desert's stark terrain on the right side, and the high Andes cordillera running parallel to the flight path in the final hours before descent into Santiago.