The left side delivers a more complete scenic arc: a skyline-and-mountain departure from LAX, a mid-flight look at the Grand Canyon region and Rocky Mountains, and a Manhattan skyline view on arrival into JFK, while the right side spends most of the flight over comparatively featureless plains and suburbs.
Flight Path
Grand Canyon and northern Arizona's Colorado Plateau, the southern Rocky Mountains over Colorado, the Great Plains of Kansas, and the Mississippi River valley before crossing the Appalachian ridges of Ohio and Pennsylvania
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from LAX
LEFTLAX departures headed east typically climb out over the Pacific and then bank south before turning east, putting downtown LA's skyline and the San Gabriel Mountains on the left side of the aircraft as it climbs over the basin. The right side mostly shows repetitive South Bay suburbs and freeway grids with less visual variety.
Landing at JFK
LEFTOn arrivals into JFK from the west, aircraft commonly loop north over Long Island Sound before turning southwest for final approach to runways 22L/22R, putting the Manhattan skyline and the East River on the left side of the cabin. The right side during this turn mostly faces open Long Island suburbs and the flat Hempstead Plain.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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See exactly which side of the plane gets sun and shade at your departure time.
About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Los Angeles International (LAX) to John F Kennedy International (JFK)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Los Angeles to New York. The left side delivers a more complete scenic arc: a skyline-and-mountain departure from LAX, a mid-flight look at the Grand Canyon region and Rocky Mountains, and a Manhattan skyline view on arrival into JFK, while the right side spends most of the flight over comparatively featureless plains and suburbs.
What can I see during takeoff from Los Angeles International in Los Angeles?
During takeoff from Los Angeles International (LAX), sit on the Left side for the best views. LAX departures headed east typically climb out over the Pacific and then bank south before turning east, putting downtown LA's skyline and the San Gabriel Mountains on the left side of the aircraft as it climbs over the basin. The right side mostly shows repetitive South Bay suburbs and freeway grids with less visual variety. Notable sights include: Downtown Los Angeles skyline, San Gabriel Mountains, Santa Monica Bay coastline, Palos Verdes Peninsula.
What can I see when landing at John F Kennedy International in New York?
When landing at John F Kennedy International (JFK), sit on the Left side for the best views. On arrivals into JFK from the west, aircraft commonly loop north over Long Island Sound before turning southwest for final approach to runways 22L/22R, putting the Manhattan skyline and the East River on the left side of the cabin. The right side during this turn mostly faces open Long Island suburbs and the flat Hempstead Plain. Notable sights include: Manhattan skyline (Empire State Building, One World Trade Center), East River, Throgs Neck Bridge, Long Island Sound.
How long is the flight from Los Angeles to New York?
The flight from Los Angeles International (LAX) to John F Kennedy International (JFK) takes 5h 00m.
What does the Los Angeles to New York flight path pass over?
Grand Canyon and northern Arizona's Colorado Plateau, the southern Rocky Mountains over Colorado, the Great Plains of Kansas, and the Mississippi River valley before crossing the Appalachian ridges of Ohio and Pennsylvania