The right side delivers the Manhattan skyline on departure and volcanic Costa Rican terrain on arrival, while the left side is dominated by open Atlantic and Caribbean water for most of the flight with no comparable landmarks.
Flown JFK to SJO? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
New York to San Jose is 2,211 miles (3,559 km), a flight of about 5 hours 25 minutes.
Route crosses the Bahamas island chain, the open Caribbean Sea, and passes near the coast of Honduras/Nicaragua before reaching Costa Rica's Caribbean lowlands.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from JFK
RIGHTFlights departing JFK toward the south typically climb out over Jamaica Bay and the Rockaways before banking southwest, putting the Manhattan skyline and Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge on the right side of the aircraft. The left side over the open Atlantic offers little but water and haze.
Landing at SJO
RIGHTApproaching SJO from the northeast over Costa Rica's Central Valley, the descent path passes close to the Cordillera Central, where the volcanic cones of Poás and Barva are visible off the right side before the turn onto final for runway 07. The left side mostly shows the flatter Caribbean lowlands with fewer distinct features.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from John F Kennedy International (JFK) to Juan Santamaria International (SJO)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from New York to San Jose. The right side delivers the Manhattan skyline on departure and volcanic Costa Rican terrain on arrival, while the left side is dominated by open Atlantic and Caribbean water for most of the flight with no comparable landmarks.
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 Right side for the best views. Flights departing JFK toward the south typically climb out over Jamaica Bay and the Rockaways before banking southwest, putting the Manhattan skyline and Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge on the right side of the aircraft. The left side over the open Atlantic offers little but water and haze. Notable sights include: Manhattan skyline, Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, Jamaica Bay wetlands, New Jersey shoreline.
What can I see when landing at Juan Santamaria International in San Jose?
When landing at Juan Santamaria International (SJO), sit on the Right side for the best views. Approaching SJO from the northeast over Costa Rica's Central Valley, the descent path passes close to the Cordillera Central, where the volcanic cones of Poás and Barva are visible off the right side before the turn onto final for runway 07. The left side mostly shows the flatter Caribbean lowlands with fewer distinct features. Notable sights include: Poás Volcano, Barva Volcano, Cordillera Central ridgeline, San Jose's Central Valley basin.
How long is the flight from New York to San Jose?
The flight from John F Kennedy International (JFK) to Juan Santamaria International (SJO) takes about 5 hours 25 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 2,211 miles (3,559 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the New York to San Jose flight path pass over?
Route crosses the Bahamas island chain, the open Caribbean Sea, and passes near the coast of Honduras/Nicaragua before reaching Costa Rica's Caribbean lowlands.