Left side wins both departure and arrival. The RDU departure offers the Piedmont and Jordan Lake, and the EWR arrival delivers the definitive New York Harbor and Manhattan skyline view. The right side offers New Jersey suburbs at both ends, which is significantly less compelling.
Flown RDU to EWR? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Raleigh-Durham to Newark is 416 miles (669 km), a flight of about 1 hour 40 minutes.
The flight tracks northeast over the Virginia Piedmont, crossing the Richmond metro area, then the Rappahannock and Potomac rivers, skirting west of the DC metro area, crossing into Maryland and Delaware, passing over the northern Chesapeake Bay region, then into southern New Jersey before descending into EWR. The Chesapeake Bay is the most visually distinctive geographic feature at cruise altitude, appearing as a broad silver estuary cutting across the landscape roughly 45-55 minutes into the flight.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from RDU
LEFTRDU typically departs northeast on runway 23L/5R or uses runway 14/32. On a northeast departure toward EWR, the left side faces northwest, giving views over the Research Triangle urban area, Jordan Lake, and the broader Piedmont landscape. The right side faces southeast toward flat coastal plain with little of interest.
Landing at EWR
LEFTEWR approaches typically come from the south or southwest on runway 22L/22R or 29. On a southwesterly approach, the left side faces southeast toward Lower Manhattan, Upper New York Bay, the Statue of Liberty, and the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge — the most iconic urban aerial panorama in the US. The right side faces northwest toward New Jersey suburbs and the Watchung Mountains ridgeline.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Raleigh Durham International (RDU) to Newark Liberty International (EWR)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Raleigh-Durham to Newark. Left side wins both departure and arrival. The RDU departure offers the Piedmont and Jordan Lake, and the EWR arrival delivers the definitive New York Harbor and Manhattan skyline view. The right side offers New Jersey suburbs at both ends, which is significantly less compelling.
What can I see during takeoff from Raleigh Durham International in Raleigh-Durham?
During takeoff from Raleigh Durham International (RDU), sit on the Left side for the best views. RDU typically departs northeast on runway 23L/5R or uses runway 14/32. On a northeast departure toward EWR, the left side faces northwest, giving views over the Research Triangle urban area, Jordan Lake, and the broader Piedmont landscape. The right side faces southeast toward flat coastal plain with little of interest. Notable sights include: Jordan Lake reservoir to the southwest, Research Triangle Park campus sprawl, downtown Raleigh skyline to the southeast briefly visible, Eno River State Park woodlands.
What can I see when landing at Newark Liberty International in Newark?
When landing at Newark Liberty International (EWR), sit on the Left side for the best views. EWR approaches typically come from the south or southwest on runway 22L/22R or 29. On a southwesterly approach, the left side faces southeast toward Lower Manhattan, Upper New York Bay, the Statue of Liberty, and the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge — the most iconic urban aerial panorama in the US. The right side faces northwest toward New Jersey suburbs and the Watchung Mountains ridgeline. Notable sights include: Lower Manhattan skyline, Upper New York Bay, Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island, Verrazano-Narrows Bridge.
How long is the flight from Raleigh-Durham to Newark?
The flight from Raleigh Durham International (RDU) to Newark Liberty International (EWR) takes about 1 hour 40 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 416 miles (669 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Raleigh-Durham to Newark flight path pass over?
The flight tracks northeast over the Virginia Piedmont, crossing the Richmond metro area, then the Rappahannock and Potomac rivers, skirting west of the DC metro area, crossing into Maryland and Delaware, passing over the northern Chesapeake Bay region, then into southern New Jersey before descending into EWR. The Chesapeake Bay is the most visually distinctive geographic feature at cruise altitude, appearing as a broad silver estuary cutting across the landscape roughly 45-55 minutes into the flight.