About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Le Bourget (LBG) to John F Kennedy International (JFK)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Paris to New York. Left side wins at both ends of the flight. Over the Atlantic the views are largely ocean regardless of side, but the left seat delivers Paris on departure and the New York Harbor panorama on arrival — the two most visually rewarding moments of the route.
What can I see during takeoff from Le Bourget in Paris?
During takeoff from Le Bourget (LBG), sit on the Left side for the best views. Le Bourget's primary departure runway 27 (heading west) means a left-side seat faces south, giving you a clear view over central Paris as the aircraft climbs and turns northwest toward the Atlantic. You'll see the Seine river bends, the Eiffel Tower, and the dense Haussmann grid of central Paris laid out below. The right side faces north toward the flat suburban sprawl of Seine-Saint-Denis with little of interest. Notable sights include: Eiffel Tower and Champ de Mars, Seine river bends through central Paris, La Défense business district towers to the west, Sacré-Cœur on the Montmartre hill.
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 primarily uses runways 31L/31R for westerly arrivals, with the approach tracking from the southeast over the Atlantic and then over Jamaica Bay. A left-side seat faces south and southwest, giving you the best view of Lower Manhattan's skyline, the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, and the full sweep of New York Harbor as the aircraft descends. The right side looks north toward the flat residential neighborhoods of Queens and Long Island. Notable sights include: Lower Manhattan skyline with One World Trade Center, Verrazano-Narrows Bridge spanning the harbor entrance, Jamaica Bay and its barrier islands, Brooklyn waterfront and bridges.
How long is the flight from Paris to New York?
The flight from Le Bourget (LBG) to John F Kennedy International (JFK) takes Approximately 7 hours 30 minutes to 8 hours 30 minutes westbound, depending on winds.
What does the Paris to New York flight path pass over?
The flight tracks northwest from Paris, crossing the English Channel near Cherbourg or Brest, then out over the North Atlantic. The southern tip of Ireland or Cork coastline may be visible early in the crossing. The route passes well south of Greenland and Iceland. Mid-ocean there is nothing but open North Atlantic water for several hours. Approaching North America, the coast of Newfoundland or Nova Scotia becomes visible, followed by the Gulf of Maine and the New England coastline before descending toward New York.