The right side delivers the most dramatic and memorable moment of the flight — the sweeping view of Sint Maarten, Simpson Bay Lagoon, and the surrounding Leeward Islands during climb-out. The landing views at JFK are interesting but relatively industrial. The Caribbean departure scenery on the right is simply more visually rewarding.
Flight Path
The flight tracks northwest over the northeastern Caribbean, passing near Puerto Rico and Hispaniola visible as large landmasses to the west, then over the open Atlantic for the majority of the route. The Turks and Caicos and Bahamas chain may be visible to the left in the early-mid portion. The US East Coast appears as a long low landmass as the aircraft descends toward New York, with the New Jersey shoreline and Long Island visible on approach.
Great circle distance and headings ›Phase by phase
Takeoff from SXM
RIGHTSXM's primary departure runway is 10, heading roughly east, which means a right-side seat faces north toward the lagoon, Simpson Bay, and the Dutch-French border hills. After rotation you get a clear look back at the full island of Sint Maarten and the turquoise Simpson Bay Lagoon before the aircraft turns northwest toward the US.
Landing at JFK
LEFTJFK primarily uses runways 31L/31R for northwesterly departures and 22L/22R for arrivals from the northeast. On a typical approach from the south-southeast over the Atlantic, aircraft line up on runway 22L/22R, putting the left side facing east toward Jamaica Bay, the Rockaways, and the Manhattan skyline in the distance to the north. Left-side passengers get the cleaner view of the New York Harbor approach corridor.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Princess Juliana International (SXM) to John F Kennedy International (JFK)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Philipsburg to New York. The right side delivers the most dramatic and memorable moment of the flight — the sweeping view of Sint Maarten, Simpson Bay Lagoon, and the surrounding Leeward Islands during climb-out. The landing views at JFK are interesting but relatively industrial. The Caribbean departure scenery on the right is simply more visually rewarding.
What can I see during takeoff from Princess Juliana International in Philipsburg?
During takeoff from Princess Juliana International (SXM), sit on the Right side for the best views. SXM's primary departure runway is 10, heading roughly east, which means a right-side seat faces north toward the lagoon, Simpson Bay, and the Dutch-French border hills. After rotation you get a clear look back at the full island of Sint Maarten and the turquoise Simpson Bay Lagoon before the aircraft turns northwest toward the US. Notable sights include: Simpson Bay Lagoon, Philipsburg waterfront and Great Salt Pond, Saint Barthélemy (St. Barts) to the southeast, Anguilla to the north.
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 primarily uses runways 31L/31R for northwesterly departures and 22L/22R for arrivals from the northeast. On a typical approach from the south-southeast over the Atlantic, aircraft line up on runway 22L/22R, putting the left side facing east toward Jamaica Bay, the Rockaways, and the Manhattan skyline in the distance to the north. Left-side passengers get the cleaner view of the New York Harbor approach corridor. Notable sights include: Jamaica Bay and its barrier islands, the Rockaway Peninsula, Manhattan skyline visible to the north-northwest, Coney Island beachfront.
How long is the flight from Philipsburg to New York?
The flight from Princess Juliana International (SXM) to John F Kennedy International (JFK) takes Approximately 3 hours 45 minutes to 4 hours 15 minutes.
What does the Philipsburg to New York flight path pass over?
The flight tracks northwest over the northeastern Caribbean, passing near Puerto Rico and Hispaniola visible as large landmasses to the west, then over the open Atlantic for the majority of the route. The Turks and Caicos and Bahamas chain may be visible to the left in the early-mid portion. The US East Coast appears as a long low landmass as the aircraft descends toward New York, with the New Jersey shoreline and Long Island visible on approach.