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 Approximately 5 hours 15 minutes to 5 hours 45 minutes westbound headwinds vary but eastbound is typically faster at around 5 hours.
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