Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Raleigh-durham to New York. Left side wins both ends of the flight. During the cruise portion heading northeast, left-side passengers also get better views of the Delaware River valley and the New Jersey coastal plain as the aircraft descends toward New York. The Jamaica Bay approach on the left is one of the most visually rewarding urban approaches in the country.

During takeoff from Raleigh Durham International (RDU), sit on the Left side for the best views. RDU's primary departure runway 23L sends aircraft southwest before turning northeast toward New York. Left-side passengers get views back over downtown Raleigh and the Research Triangle Park campus as the aircraft banks. The city grid and Jordan Lake to the southwest are clearly visible during the climb. Notable sights include: Downtown Raleigh skyline, Jordan Lake reservoir, Research Triangle Park campus, Falls Lake to the north.

When landing at John F Kennedy International (JFK), sit on the Left side for the best views. JFK arrivals from the south typically use runway 22L or 13R, with the approach over Jamaica Bay and the Rockaway Peninsula. Left-side passengers get a direct view of Jamaica Bay, the Manhattan skyline in the distance to the northwest, and the dense urban grid of Brooklyn and Queens during the final approach. This is one of the most dramatic urban approach views in the US. Notable sights include: Jamaica Bay, Manhattan skyline (distant, northwest), Brooklyn urban grid, Rockaway Peninsula barrier beach.

The flight from Raleigh Durham International (RDU) to John F Kennedy International (JFK) takes Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes to 1 hour 45 minutes.

The flight tracks northeast over the Virginia Piedmont, crossing the Roanoke River drainage, then over Richmond VA and the James River, the Potomac River near Washington DC visible to the west, the Chesapeake Bay crossing near its northern reaches, then over Delaware and southern New Jersey before the descent into JFK