Both sides spend most of the flight over featureless North Atlantic, capping their cruise scores low, but the right side's approach into JFK offers a genuine, iconic Manhattan skyline view that outweighs the brief Windsor Castle glimpse on departure.
Flown LHR to JFK? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
London to New York is 3,442 miles (5,540 km), a flight of about 8 hours 5 minutes.
Mid-flight the route crosses the open North Atlantic well south of Greenland, with no land visible for several hours; the nearest landmarks are the southern Irish coast shortly after departure and the Nova Scotia/New England coastline as the descent begins.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from LHR
LEFTDeparting LHR on the westerly runways, the initial climb passes almost directly over Windsor Castle and the loop of the Thames just south of the airport, visible on the left side. The right side only shows flat Middlesex and Buckinghamshire suburbs before the aircraft heads out over open countryside.
Landing at JFK
RIGHTOn the standard northeast arrival into JFK, aircraft descend over Long Island before turning south onto final approach for 22L/22R, and during that turn the Manhattan skyline becomes clearly visible off the right side across Long Island Sound and Jamaica Bay. The left side mainly shows the flatter Rockaway Peninsula and open Atlantic.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Heathrow (LHR) 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. Both sides spend most of the flight over featureless North Atlantic, capping their cruise scores low, but the right side's approach into JFK offers a genuine, iconic Manhattan skyline view that outweighs the brief Windsor Castle glimpse on departure.
What can I see during takeoff from Heathrow in London?
During takeoff from Heathrow (LHR), sit on the Left side for the best views. Departing LHR on the westerly runways, the initial climb passes almost directly over Windsor Castle and the loop of the Thames just south of the airport, visible on the left side. The right side only shows flat Middlesex and Buckinghamshire suburbs before the aircraft heads out over open countryside. Notable sights include: Windsor Castle, River Thames, Berkshire countryside, Chiltern Hills in the distance.
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 Right side for the best views. On the standard northeast arrival into JFK, aircraft descend over Long Island before turning south onto final approach for 22L/22R, and during that turn the Manhattan skyline becomes clearly visible off the right side across Long Island Sound and Jamaica Bay. The left side mainly shows the flatter Rockaway Peninsula and open Atlantic. Notable sights include: Manhattan skyline, Long Island Sound, Jamaica Bay wetlands, Rockaway Peninsula.
How long is the flight from London to New York?
The flight from Heathrow (LHR) to John F Kennedy International (JFK) takes about 8 hours 5 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 3,442 miles (5,540 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the London to New York flight path pass over?
Mid-flight the route crosses the open North Atlantic well south of Greenland, with no land visible for several hours; the nearest landmarks are the southern Irish coast shortly after departure and the Nova Scotia/New England coastline as the descent begins.