About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Lisboa (LIS) to John F Kennedy International (JFK)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Lisbon to New York. Left side wins both the departure over Lisbon and the Tagus and the arrival over Jamaica Bay with Manhattan on the horizon. Over the mid-Atlantic there is little to differentiate sides, so the bookend views at both airports make left the clear choice for the full journey.
What can I see during takeoff from Lisboa in Lisbon?
During takeoff from Lisboa (LIS), sit on the Left side for the best views. Lisbon's main departure runway 21 sends aircraft southwest over the Tagus estuary before turning northwest. The left side captures the city center, the 25 de Abril Bridge, and the wide Tagus mouth opening to the Atlantic. Right side gets industrial docklands and flat terrain. Notable sights include: 25 de Abril Bridge spanning the Tagus, Tagus estuary and its wide mouth at the Atlantic, Lisbon city center and Alfama hillside districts, Arrábida Peninsula and its limestone ridgeline to the south.
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 from the east uses runway 22L/22R, approaching from the southeast over the Atlantic before crossing the Rockaway Peninsula and Jamaica Bay. Left side seats get Jamaica Bay, the Manhattan skyline on the distant horizon to the northwest, and the Brooklyn waterfront. Right side faces south toward open ocean and the Rockaways. Notable sights include: Jamaica Bay and its barrier islands, Manhattan skyline visible on the northwest horizon, Brooklyn and Queens residential grid below, Rockaway Peninsula barrier beach.
How long is the flight from Lisbon to New York?
The flight from Lisboa (LIS) to John F Kennedy International (JFK) takes Approximately 7 hours 30 minutes to 8 hours 30 minutes westbound.
What does the Lisbon to New York flight path pass over?
The flight tracks northwest from Lisbon across the North Atlantic, passing south of the Azores archipelago (visible as small dark volcanic islands if routing passes within 50-80 miles), then crossing the Grand Banks off Newfoundland where fog and low cloud are common, before descending along the US Northeast corridor. The Azores are the only significant land feature on the oceanic crossing, appearing roughly 3-4 hours into the flight.