The right side wins overall because the LCY departure delivers a genuinely spectacular and rare low-altitude view of central London's most iconic geography — the Thames bends, Canary Wharf, and the City skyline — which is hard to beat. The JFK arrival on the left is good but the Manhattan view is distant and the approach is largely over flat bay water.
Flown LCY to JFK? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
London to New York is 3,463 miles (5,573 km), a flight of about 7 hours 15 minutes.
The flight tracks northwest over the UK, crossing the coast near Scotland or northern England, then over the North Atlantic on a great circle route passing south of Greenland and Iceland. Mid-flight features include the southern tip of Greenland's ice sheet visible on clear days, the vast featureless North Atlantic, and the Canadian Maritime coastline — Nova Scotia and Newfoundland — as the aircraft descends toward the US eastern seaboard.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from LCY
RIGHTLCY's runway 27 departure heads west before turning northwest, giving right-side passengers a clear view south over the Thames, Canary Wharf, and central London. The right side tracks the river bend and the City skyline as the aircraft climbs out over east London.
Landing at JFK
LEFTJFK's most common arrival is runway 31L/31R from the southeast, meaning the aircraft approaches from over the Atlantic and turns over Jamaica Bay. Left-side passengers get the clearest view of Manhattan's skyline to the north as the plane descends, with the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge and Brooklyn visible below.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from City (LCY) to John F Kennedy International (JFK)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from London to New York. The right side wins overall because the LCY departure delivers a genuinely spectacular and rare low-altitude view of central London's most iconic geography — the Thames bends, Canary Wharf, and the City skyline — which is hard to beat. The JFK arrival on the left is good but the Manhattan view is distant and the approach is largely over flat bay water.
What can I see during takeoff from City in London?
During takeoff from City (LCY), sit on the Right side for the best views. LCY's runway 27 departure heads west before turning northwest, giving right-side passengers a clear view south over the Thames, Canary Wharf, and central London. The right side tracks the river bend and the City skyline as the aircraft climbs out over east London. Notable sights include: Canary Wharf tower cluster, the Thames river bends, O2 Arena dome, Tower Bridge and City of London skyline.
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's most common arrival is runway 31L/31R from the southeast, meaning the aircraft approaches from over the Atlantic and turns over Jamaica Bay. Left-side passengers get the clearest view of Manhattan's skyline to the north as the plane descends, with the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge and Brooklyn visible below. Notable sights include: Manhattan skyline, Jamaica Bay, Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, Brooklyn waterfront.
How long is the flight from London to New York?
The flight from City (LCY) to John F Kennedy International (JFK) takes about 7 hours 15 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 3,463 miles (5,573 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the London to New York flight path pass over?
The flight tracks northwest over the UK, crossing the coast near Scotland or northern England, then over the North Atlantic on a great circle route passing south of Greenland and Iceland. Mid-flight features include the southern tip of Greenland's ice sheet visible on clear days, the vast featureless North Atlantic, and the Canadian Maritime coastline — Nova Scotia and Newfoundland — as the aircraft descends toward the US eastern seaboard.