The left side delivers the best views at both ends of this short flight — Lake Ontario and Rochester on departure, and the full Manhattan skyline with New York Harbor on approach. The right side sees mostly rural upstate New York and the New Jersey industrial corridor.
Flown ROC to EWR? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Rochester to Newark is 246 miles (396 km), a flight of about 1 hour 5 minutes.
The flight tracks southeast over the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York, where narrow glacially-carved lakes like Seneca and Cayuga are visible as long thin water bodies oriented north-south. The Catskill Mountains appear as a low rolling upland in the distance as the aircraft descends toward the New York metro area. The Hudson Valley becomes visible on the right side during descent.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from ROC
LEFTROC typically departs east on runway 28/22, and climbing out to the southeast gives the left side a clear view over Lake Ontario's southern shoreline and the city of Rochester below. The left side tracks along the lake edge before the aircraft turns southeast toward New Jersey.
Landing at EWR
LEFTApproaching EWR from the northwest, aircraft typically land on runways 22L/22R heading southwest, giving the left side a direct view of Lower Manhattan's skyline, New York Harbor, and the Hudson River. This is one of the most dramatic urban approaches in the US.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Greater Rochester International (ROC) to Newark Liberty International (EWR)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Rochester to Newark. The left side delivers the best views at both ends of this short flight — Lake Ontario and Rochester on departure, and the full Manhattan skyline with New York Harbor on approach. The right side sees mostly rural upstate New York and the New Jersey industrial corridor.
What can I see during takeoff from Greater Rochester International in Rochester?
During takeoff from Greater Rochester International (ROC), sit on the Left side for the best views. ROC typically departs east on runway 28/22, and climbing out to the southeast gives the left side a clear view over Lake Ontario's southern shoreline and the city of Rochester below. The left side tracks along the lake edge before the aircraft turns southeast toward New Jersey. Notable sights include: Lake Ontario southern shoreline, Rochester urban grid and Genesee River mouth, Irondequoit Bay, suburban sprawl of Monroe County.
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. Approaching EWR from the northwest, aircraft typically land on runways 22L/22R heading southwest, giving the left side a direct view of Lower Manhattan's skyline, New York Harbor, and the Hudson River. This is one of the most dramatic urban approaches in the US. Notable sights include: Manhattan skyline and Hudson River, Newark Bay, Statue of Liberty, Verrazano-Narrows Bridge on the distant horizon.
How long is the flight from Rochester to Newark?
The flight from Greater Rochester International (ROC) to Newark Liberty International (EWR) takes about 1 hour 5 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 246 miles (396 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Rochester to Newark flight path pass over?
The flight tracks southeast over the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York, where narrow glacially-carved lakes like Seneca and Cayuga are visible as long thin water bodies oriented north-south. The Catskill Mountains appear as a low rolling upland in the distance as the aircraft descends toward the New York metro area. The Hudson Valley becomes visible on the right side during descent.