Left side wins at both ends of the flight. During the transatlantic cruise the flight path arcs over southern England, the English Channel, and central Europe, where left seats offer slightly better views of the Alps during the descent toward Greece. Right seats face north over open ocean for most of the cruise.
Flown JFK to SKG? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
New York to Thessaloniki is 4,780 miles (7,693 km), a flight of about 10 hours 30 minutes.
The route crosses the North Atlantic, passing near the southern tip of Ireland and over southern England, then tracks across France and the Alps — the Swiss and Austrian Alps are visible during cruise at around 35,000 feet as a broad white mountain chain. The flight then crosses northern Italy, the Adriatic Sea, and the mountains of northern Greece before descending into Thessaloniki.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from JFK
LEFTJFK's primary departure runways 22L/22R send aircraft southwest over Jamaica Bay before turning east over the Atlantic. A left seat gives you the Manhattan skyline receding to the northwest, with the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge and Upper New York Bay clearly visible during the initial climb. Right seats face south over the Rockaways and open ocean with little of interest.
Landing at SKG
LEFTSKG's primary runway 16/34 means arrivals typically come in from the north over the Axios River delta and approach over Thessaloniki Bay. A left seat on approach from the northwest gives you Mount Olympus to the south and the Thermaic Gulf spread out ahead. Right seats face inland toward flat agricultural plains with little visual interest.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from John F Kennedy International (JFK) to Makedonia (SKG)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from New York to Thessaloniki. Left side wins at both ends of the flight. During the transatlantic cruise the flight path arcs over southern England, the English Channel, and central Europe, where left seats offer slightly better views of the Alps during the descent toward Greece. Right seats face north over open ocean for most of the cruise.
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's primary departure runways 22L/22R send aircraft southwest over Jamaica Bay before turning east over the Atlantic. A left seat gives you the Manhattan skyline receding to the northwest, with the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge and Upper New York Bay clearly visible during the initial climb. Right seats face south over the Rockaways and open ocean with little of interest. Notable sights include: Manhattan skyline to the northwest, Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, Jamaica Bay wetlands directly below, Brooklyn waterfront.
What can I see when landing at Makedonia in Thessaloniki?
When landing at Makedonia (SKG), sit on the Left side for the best views. SKG's primary runway 16/34 means arrivals typically come in from the north over the Axios River delta and approach over Thessaloniki Bay. A left seat on approach from the northwest gives you Mount Olympus to the south and the Thermaic Gulf spread out ahead. Right seats face inland toward flat agricultural plains with little visual interest. Notable sights include: Mount Olympus (2,917m) to the south, Thermaic Gulf (Gulf of Thessaloniki), Axios River delta wetlands, Thessaloniki city waterfront.
How long is the flight from New York to Thessaloniki?
The flight from John F Kennedy International (JFK) to Makedonia (SKG) takes about 10 hours 30 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 4,780 miles (7,693 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the New York to Thessaloniki flight path pass over?
The route crosses the North Atlantic, passing near the southern tip of Ireland and over southern England, then tracks across France and the Alps — the Swiss and Austrian Alps are visible during cruise at around 35,000 feet as a broad white mountain chain. The flight then crosses northern Italy, the Adriatic Sea, and the mountains of northern Greece before descending into Thessaloniki.