About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from San Francisco International (SFO) to John F Kennedy International (JFK)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from San Francisco to New York. Left side wins at both ends of the flight. During the transcontinental cruise the left side also faces south, giving views of the Colorado Plateau, the Rockies, and eventually the Great Plains as the route tracks roughly along 38-40 degrees north latitude. Right side faces north toward less dramatic terrain for most of the flight.
What can I see during takeoff from San Francisco International in San Francisco?
During takeoff from San Francisco International (SFO), sit on the Left side for the best views. SFO's primary departure runways (28L/28R) head west over the bay before turning east. A left/south-facing seat gives you San Francisco Bay, the city skyline, and the Peninsula as you climb out and bank eastward. Right seats face north toward the East Bay hills but miss the dramatic bay and city views. Notable sights include: San Francisco Bay, SF city skyline and downtown, San Mateo Bridge, Santa Cruz Mountains to the south.
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's primary arrival runways (31L/31R) bring aircraft in from the southeast over the Atlantic, or runway 22L/22R from the northeast. On the common 31L/31R approach, left-side seats face south and east toward Jamaica Bay, the Rockaways barrier beach, and lower Manhattan visible to the northwest. Right seats face inland toward Queens residential neighborhoods with less visual interest. Notable sights include: Jamaica Bay and its wildlife refuge, Rockaway Peninsula barrier beach, Lower Manhattan skyline on the horizon, Coney Island coastline.
How long is the flight from San Francisco to New York?
The flight from San Francisco International (SFO) to John F Kennedy International (JFK) takes Approximately 5 hours 30 minutes to 6 hours.
What does the San Francisco to New York flight path pass over?
The route crosses the Sierra Nevada east of Lake Tahoe, then the Great Basin desert of Nevada and Utah, the Colorado Rockies including the Wasatch Range and the Rockies proper near Denver, the flat expanse of the Kansas and Missouri plains, then the Ohio Valley and Appalachian ridges of Pennsylvania before descending into the New York metro area