New Orleans to New York flight path: MSY to LGA

Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from New Orleans to New York. The left side wins on both ends of the flight — Lake Pontchartrain and the New Orleans skyline at takeoff, and the iconic Manhattan skyline on approach into LGA — while the right side offers flat, unremarkable terrain throughout.

During takeoff from Louis Armstrong New Orleans International (MSY), sit on the Left side for the best views. Departing MSY the aircraft climbs out over Lake Pontchartrain, and since the route bends northeast toward New York, the left-side bank gives a sweeping view of the lake's south shore and the New Orleans skyline before the plane straightens onto its northeast heading. The right side mostly shows flat marshland and bayous with little contrast. Notable sights include: Lake Pontchartrain, New Orleans downtown skyline, Pontchartrain Causeway, Mississippi River bends.

When landing at La Guardia (LGA), sit on the Left side for the best views. On the typical southwest approach into LGA's runway 4, the aircraft tracks up over Brooklyn and Queens with Manhattan's skyline visible off the left side before the final turn onto the runway. The right side instead faces Long Island Sound and residential Queens, which is far less distinctive. Notable sights include: Manhattan skyline, East River, Central Park, Hudson River mouth.

The flight from Louis Armstrong New Orleans International (MSY) to La Guardia (LGA) takes about 3 hours 5 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 1,183 miles (1,904 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.

The route crosses Alabama and Georgia near Atlanta, passes within sight of the distant Blue Ridge Mountains to the west, and continues over the Virginia Piedmont before approaching the Mid-Atlantic coast near Washington D.C. and Delaware.