Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from New York to Shanghai. Left side captures the dramatic departure from Manhattan and the arrival approach to Shanghai's iconic Huangpu River and Pudong skyline. The takeoff view is strong but the landing view is exceptional.

During takeoff from La Guardia (LGA), sit on the Right side for the best views. LGA typically departs eastbound on Runway 04 or 22. Right-side seats offer views of Manhattan's skyline receding westward, the East River, and Queens neighborhoods. Left seats face away from the city toward less developed areas. Notable sights include: Manhattan skyline (Empire State Building, Chrysler Building visible in cluster), East River, Flushing Bay, Queens residential grid.

When landing at Shanghai Pudong International (PVG), sit on the Left side for the best views. PVG has two parallel runways (16L/16R and 17L/17R) oriented north-south. Left-side seats during approach from the east offer views of the Huangpu River's distinctive bend, Pudong's financial district skyline, and the Yangtze River estuary. Right seats face Minhang District and industrial areas. Notable sights include: Huangpu River with its characteristic horseshoe bend, Pudong financial district (Oriental Pearl Tower, Jin Mao Tower visible in skyline), Yangtze River estuary, Hangzhou Bay to the south.

The flight from La Guardia (LGA) to Shanghai Pudong International (PVG) takes Approximately 14-15 hours.

The flight path crosses the North Atlantic, passing south of Greenland and Iceland (visible on polar route). Over the Arctic, the Canadian Arctic Archipelago and northern Russia appear as vast, sparsely populated terrain. The flight then crosses Siberia's taiga forests and the Ural Mountains. Over Central Asia, the Altai Mountains and Gobi Desert are visible on clear days. Approaching China, the flight passes over Mongolia's steppes before descending toward Shanghai via the North China Plain.