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 wins overall because the JFK arrival view of Manhattan and Jamaica Bay is one of the most iconic urban approaches in aviation. While the right side has a strong takeoff showing Santa Monica Mountains and downtown LA, the left side's landing view of the full Manhattan skyline from the south is more dramatic and memorable. Mid-flight over the Southwest and Midwest, left versus right matters less, but the left side also catches the Colorado Rockies slightly better on the typical routing.
What can I see during takeoff from Los Angeles International in Los Angeles?
During takeoff from Los Angeles International (LAX), sit on the Right side for the best views. LAX typically departs eastbound on runways 24L/24R (heading ~240°) or westbound over the ocean. On the dominant eastbound departure, the right side faces north toward the Santa Monica Mountains, the Hollywood Hills, and downtown LA's skyline as the aircraft climbs and turns. The left side looks south over Inglewood and suburban sprawl. Notable sights include: Santa Monica Mountains, Griffith Observatory area/Hollywood Hills, Downtown LA skyline, Santa Monica Bay receding behind.
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. JFK typically lands westbound on runways 22L/22R or 31L/31R. On the common 22L/22R approach from the east, the left side faces south over Jamaica Bay and gets a clear view of lower Manhattan's skyline to the northwest as the aircraft descends. The right side looks north over Queens residential neighborhoods with less dramatic scenery. Notable sights include: Manhattan skyline, Jamaica Bay, Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, Brooklyn waterfront.
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 Approximately 5 hours 15 minutes to 5 hours 45 minutes westbound headwinds considered; eastbound typically 5 hours to 5 hours 30 minutes.
What does the Los Angeles to New York flight path pass over?
The typical routing crosses the Mojave Desert, then the Colorado Plateau with the Grand Canyon visible to the north (left side) near the Four Corners region, the Rocky Mountains over Colorado or southern Wyoming, the flat Great Plains of Kansas and Missouri, the Mississippi River valley, and the Appalachian Mountains of Pennsylvania before descending into the New York metro area