The right side edges ahead because of the dramatic Manhattan skyline view on final approach, plus the chance to see Arctic Ocean ice and the edge of Greenland's ice sheet during the high-latitude cruise, giving it a stronger finish than the left side's steadier but less climactic Siberian and Canadian tundra views.
Flown PEK to JFK? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Beijing to New York is 6,822 miles (10,979 km), a flight of about 13 hours 25 minutes.
The route arcs over Mongolia's steppe, the Central Siberian Plateau near Lake Baikal, then the Taymyr Peninsula before crossing the Arctic Ocean's pack ice. It continues over Canada's Ellesmere and Baffin Islands and Hudson Bay, with Greenland's ice sheet sometimes visible far to the east, before descending over Quebec and New England into New York.
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from PEK
LEFTPEK departures on the 36 runways climb out almost due north, and the left side catches the Jundu Mountains rising north of the city with visible stretches of the Great Wall near Badaling and Huanghuacheng. The right side only shows the flat, hazy sprawl of Beijing's eastern suburbs and the North China Plain.
Landing at JFK
RIGHTArriving into JFK on the 22L/22R approach, the aircraft crosses Long Island Sound and swings south, putting Manhattan's skyline and the East River squarely on the right side just before the turn to final. The left side mostly shows the flatter Queens/Nassau County suburbs.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Capital (PEK) to John F Kennedy International (JFK)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Beijing to New York. The right side edges ahead because of the dramatic Manhattan skyline view on final approach, plus the chance to see Arctic Ocean ice and the edge of Greenland's ice sheet during the high-latitude cruise, giving it a stronger finish than the left side's steadier but less climactic Siberian and Canadian tundra views.
What can I see during takeoff from Capital in Beijing?
During takeoff from Capital (PEK), sit on the Left side for the best views. PEK departures on the 36 runways climb out almost due north, and the left side catches the Jundu Mountains rising north of the city with visible stretches of the Great Wall near Badaling and Huanghuacheng. The right side only shows the flat, hazy sprawl of Beijing's eastern suburbs and the North China Plain. Notable sights include: Great Wall of China (Badaling/Huanghuacheng sections), Jundu Mountains, Yan Mountain foothills, edge of the North China Plain.
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. Arriving into JFK on the 22L/22R approach, the aircraft crosses Long Island Sound and swings south, putting Manhattan's skyline and the East River squarely on the right side just before the turn to final. The left side mostly shows the flatter Queens/Nassau County suburbs. Notable sights include: Manhattan skyline, Long Island Sound, Rockaway Peninsula and Jamaica Bay, JFK runway complex.
How long is the flight from Beijing to New York?
The flight from Capital (PEK) to John F Kennedy International (JFK) takes about 13 hours 25 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 6,822 miles (10,979 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Beijing to New York flight path pass over?
The route arcs over Mongolia's steppe, the Central Siberian Plateau near Lake Baikal, then the Taymyr Peninsula before crossing the Arctic Ocean's pack ice. It continues over Canada's Ellesmere and Baffin Islands and Hudson Bay, with Greenland's ice sheet sometimes visible far to the east, before descending over Quebec and New England into New York.