The right side wins for the dramatic, sustained Andes mountain views during departure, which outweigh the brief Manhattan skyline glimpse on landing since most of the cruise on both sides is over ocean or rainforest.
Flight Path
Route crosses the Bolivian Altiplano and upper Amazon basin rainforest before heading out over the Caribbean Sea and the Bahamas en route to the U.S. East Coast.
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from SCL
RIGHTDeparting SCL to the south before turning north, the right (east) side has a dramatic close-up view of the snow-capped Andes wall rising right at the edge of the Santiago basin, including peaks like Cerro El Plomo. The left side only shows the flatter Chilean coastal range and eventually the Pacific.
Landing at JFK
LEFTJFK arrivals from the south typically curve over Long Island Sound and Jamaica Bay before turning onto final for runway 22L/22R, putting the Manhattan skyline and Hudson River on the left side during the turn. The right side mostly shows open Atlantic and the flat Long Island shoreline.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Arturo Merino Benitez International (SCL) to John F Kennedy International (JFK)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Santiago to New York. The right side wins for the dramatic, sustained Andes mountain views during departure, which outweigh the brief Manhattan skyline glimpse on landing since most of the cruise on both sides is over ocean or rainforest.
What can I see during takeoff from Arturo Merino Benitez International in Santiago?
During takeoff from Arturo Merino Benitez International (SCL), sit on the Right side for the best views. Departing SCL to the south before turning north, the right (east) side has a dramatic close-up view of the snow-capped Andes wall rising right at the edge of the Santiago basin, including peaks like Cerro El Plomo. The left side only shows the flatter Chilean coastal range and eventually the Pacific. Notable sights include: Andes Cordillera, Cerro El Plomo, Santiago basin/city grid, Maipo valley foothills.
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. JFK arrivals from the south typically curve over Long Island Sound and Jamaica Bay before turning onto final for runway 22L/22R, putting the Manhattan skyline and Hudson River on the left side during the turn. The right side mostly shows open Atlantic and the flat Long Island shoreline. Notable sights include: Manhattan skyline, Hudson River mouth, Jamaica Bay, Rockaway Peninsula.
How long is the flight from Santiago to New York?
The flight from Arturo Merino Benitez International (SCL) to John F Kennedy International (JFK) takes 9h 25m.
What does the Santiago to New York flight path pass over?
Route crosses the Bolivian Altiplano and upper Amazon basin rainforest before heading out over the Caribbean Sea and the Bahamas en route to the U.S. East Coast.