Sacramento to New York flight pathSMFJFK

Sit on the left side of the plane

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Pick the window seat with the view. 13,500 routes answered — landmarks, coastlines and cities, wing by wing.

Flight time5h 25m
Distance2,515
Heading071° → 103°

Sacramento to New York is 2,515 miles (4,047 km), a flight of about 5 hours 25 minutes.

Best side
Left

Left side wins both ends of the flight. During the transcontinental cruise at 35,000 feet the left side also faces generally south, giving better views of the Rockies, Great Plains, and Great Lakes depending on the exact routing. The Manhattan arrival on the left is one of the best urban approaches in commercial aviation.

Takeoff · SMFLEFTSacramento River delta and valley floor, Sierra Nevada foothills, Lake Tahoe basin
Landing · JFKLEFTManhattan skyline and Central Park, East River and Hudson River, Jamaica Bay wildlife refuge

Flight Path

Flight path overview

After clearing the Sierra Nevada the route crosses the Great Basin desert of Nevada and Utah, then the Rocky Mountains over Colorado or Wyoming with peaks visible at cruise altitude, followed by the flat expanse of the Great Plains over Nebraska and Iowa, the Mississippi River crossing near the Iowa-Illinois border, then the Great Lakes region or Ohio Valley, the Appalachian Mountains in Pennsylvania, and finally the New York metro area descent over New Jersey

Great circle distance and headings ›

Phase by phase

Takeoff from SMF

LEFT

SMF departures typically head east or northeast on runway 34L/34R or 16L/16R. Climbing eastbound, the left (north) side gives you a clear view of the Sacramento Valley floor and then the Sierra Nevada rising sharply to the east. You'll see the broad flat valley give way to foothills and then the snow-capped peaks of the northern Sierra.

Sacramento River delta and valley floorSierra Nevada foothillsLake Tahoe basinFolsom Lake reservoir
Aerial window seat view during landing at New York (left side) — Manhattan skyline and Central Park, East River and Hudson River, Jamaica Bay wildlife refuge, Brooklyn and Queens urban grid

Landing at JFK

LEFT

JFK approaches typically come in from the west or southwest over Long Island, landing on runways 13L/13R or 22L/22R. The left side on approach gives you Manhattan's skyline directly ahead and to the left, with the East River, Brooklyn, and Queens visible below. This is the classic New York arrival view.

Manhattan skyline and Central ParkEast River and Hudson RiverJamaica Bay wildlife refugeBrooklyn and Queens urban grid

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About This Route

Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Sacramento International (SMF) to John F Kennedy International (JFK)?

Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Sacramento to New York. Left side wins both ends of the flight. During the transcontinental cruise at 35,000 feet the left side also faces generally south, giving better views of the Rockies, Great Plains, and Great Lakes depending on the exact routing. The Manhattan arrival on the left is one of the best urban approaches in commercial aviation.

What can I see during takeoff from Sacramento International in Sacramento?

During takeoff from Sacramento International (SMF), sit on the Left side for the best views. SMF departures typically head east or northeast on runway 34L/34R or 16L/16R. Climbing eastbound, the left (north) side gives you a clear view of the Sacramento Valley floor and then the Sierra Nevada rising sharply to the east. You'll see the broad flat valley give way to foothills and then the snow-capped peaks of the northern Sierra. Notable sights include: Sacramento River delta and valley floor, Sierra Nevada foothills, Lake Tahoe basin (visible on clear days at altitude), Folsom Lake reservoir.

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 approaches typically come in from the west or southwest over Long Island, landing on runways 13L/13R or 22L/22R. The left side on approach gives you Manhattan's skyline directly ahead and to the left, with the East River, Brooklyn, and Queens visible below. This is the classic New York arrival view. Notable sights include: Manhattan skyline and Central Park, East River and Hudson River, Jamaica Bay wildlife refuge, Brooklyn and Queens urban grid.

How long is the flight from Sacramento to New York?

The flight from Sacramento International (SMF) to John F Kennedy International (JFK) takes about 5 hours 25 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 2,515 miles (4,047 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.

What does the Sacramento to New York flight path pass over?

After clearing the Sierra Nevada the route crosses the Great Basin desert of Nevada and Utah, then the Rocky Mountains over Colorado or Wyoming with peaks visible at cruise altitude, followed by the flat expanse of the Great Plains over Nebraska and Iowa, the Mississippi River crossing near the Iowa-Illinois border, then the Great Lakes region or Ohio Valley, the Appalachian Mountains in Pennsylvania, and finally the New York metro area descent over New Jersey