The right side offers the flight's single most dramatic moment — a close, unobstructed view of Mount Hood during departure — while the rest of the cruise over the northern Rockies and Great Plains is roughly equal scenery for both sides; the left side's Manhattan view at landing is nice but brief and more commonly seen on many East Coast arrivals.
Flight Path
Rocky Mountain foothills over Idaho and Montana, the open plains of the Dakotas and Nebraska, and the Great Lakes region near Chicago and Cleveland
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from PDX
RIGHTDeparting PDX to the east, the climbing turn puts Mount Hood's snow-capped cone right outside the right-side windows, with the Columbia River and Portland's east side visible below before the aircraft levels onto its eastbound heading.
Landing at JFK
LEFTOn the descent into JFK from the west, the aircraft typically swings south over Long Island before turning onto final approach, giving left-side passengers a clear view of the Manhattan skyline across the water before the plane lines up over Jamaica Bay.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Portland International (PDX) to John F Kennedy International (JFK)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Portland to New York. The right side offers the flight's single most dramatic moment — a close, unobstructed view of Mount Hood during departure — while the rest of the cruise over the northern Rockies and Great Plains is roughly equal scenery for both sides; the left side's Manhattan view at landing is nice but brief and more commonly seen on many East Coast arrivals.
What can I see during takeoff from Portland International in Portland?
During takeoff from Portland International (PDX), sit on the Right side for the best views. Departing PDX to the east, the climbing turn puts Mount Hood's snow-capped cone right outside the right-side windows, with the Columbia River and Portland's east side visible below before the aircraft levels onto its eastbound heading. Notable sights include: Mount Hood, Columbia River, Willamette Valley farmland, Portland's east side neighborhoods.
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. On the descent into JFK from the west, the aircraft typically swings south over Long Island before turning onto final approach, giving left-side passengers a clear view of the Manhattan skyline across the water before the plane lines up over Jamaica Bay. Notable sights include: Manhattan skyline, Long Island Sound, Jamaica Bay, JFK's runway complex.
How long is the flight from Portland to New York?
The flight from Portland International (PDX) to John F Kennedy International (JFK) takes 5h 00m.
What does the Portland to New York flight path pass over?
Rocky Mountain foothills over Idaho and Montana, the open plains of the Dakotas and Nebraska, and the Great Lakes region near Chicago and Cleveland