Seattle to New York flight path: SEA to JFK

Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Seattle to New York. The right side delivers the flight's two signature moments: Mount Rainier looming over the Seattle departure and the Manhattan skyline framed by New York Harbor on the JFK approach. The left side sees a modest Seattle skyline at takeoff and mostly open water or flat Long Island terrain on landing, with less standout scenery in between.

During takeoff from Seattle Tacoma International (SEA), sit on the Right side for the best views. SEA departures heading east typically climb out with Mount Rainier's massive glaciated cone visible to the south, a dramatic and instantly recognizable landmark. The right side also catches the last look at Puget Sound and the Cascade foothills before the plane settles onto its eastern heading. Notable sights include: Mount Rainier, Cascade Range foothills, Puget Sound, Renton/south Seattle suburbs.

When landing at John F Kennedy International (JFK), sit on the Right side for the best views. On the standard northeast-flow approach into runway 22L/22R, the final turn brings the aircraft down across Long Island with Manhattan and New York Harbor positioned off the right side. Passengers get a clear look at the Manhattan skyline and the mouth of the Hudson before the plane lines up over Queens for landing. Notable sights include: Manhattan skyline, New York Harbor/Statue of Liberty area, Long Island Sound, Queens rooftops on final approach.

The flight from Seattle Tacoma International (SEA) to John F Kennedy International (JFK) takes 5h 15m.

Northern Rocky Mountain front near Glacier National Park in Montana, the flat farmland of the northern Great Plains (North Dakota/Minnesota), and the southern shoreline of the Great Lakes region (Lake Superior/Lake Michigan) before descending toward the Northeast.