Left side dominates both ends of this flight. Departure gives you Pichincha and the Andes, and arrival gives you Jamaica Bay and the New York skyline. The left side also tracks closer to the Colombian and Caribbean coastlines during cruise, offering occasional glimpses of the Caribbean Sea.
Flown UIO to JFK? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Quito to New York is 2,831 miles (4,556 km), a flight of about 5 hours 55 minutes.
The route tracks north over Colombia's Andes and then the Caribbean Sea, passing east of Cuba and the Bahamas chain. Over Colombia you may see the Magdalena River valley and Bogotá's savanna plateau from altitude. The Caribbean crossing offers deep blue open water with occasional island clusters — Hispaniola and Cuba appear as large landmasses. Approaching the US East Coast, the Outer Banks of North Carolina and the New Jersey coastline become visible before the descent into New York.
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from UIO
LEFTMariscal Sucre's primary runway 36 (northbound departure) puts the Andes cordillera and Quito's urban valley on the left side. You get a direct view of Pichincha volcano and the city spread across the high plateau as you climb out northward.
Landing at JFK
LEFTJFK primarily uses runways 31L/31R for westerly arrivals, with the approach coming in from the east over the Atlantic. Left side seats get the view over Jamaica Bay, the Manhattan skyline on the distant horizon to the northwest, and the Brooklyn/Queens waterfront as you descend.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO) to John F Kennedy International (JFK)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Quito to New York. Left side dominates both ends of this flight. Departure gives you Pichincha and the Andes, and arrival gives you Jamaica Bay and the New York skyline. The left side also tracks closer to the Colombian and Caribbean coastlines during cruise, offering occasional glimpses of the Caribbean Sea.
What can I see during takeoff from Mariscal Sucre International Airport in Quito?
During takeoff from Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO), sit on the Left side for the best views. Mariscal Sucre's primary runway 36 (northbound departure) puts the Andes cordillera and Quito's urban valley on the left side. You get a direct view of Pichincha volcano and the city spread across the high plateau as you climb out northward. Notable sights include: Volcán Pichincha (4,784m), Quito's historic center in the valley below, the Eastern Cordillera ridge line, Cayambe volcano to the northeast.
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 westerly arrivals, with the approach coming in from the east over the Atlantic. Left side seats get the view over Jamaica Bay, the Manhattan skyline on the distant horizon to the northwest, and the Brooklyn/Queens waterfront as you descend. Notable sights include: Jamaica Bay and its barrier islands, Manhattan skyline on the northwest horizon, the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, Brooklyn waterfront.
How long is the flight from Quito to New York?
The flight from Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO) to John F Kennedy International (JFK) takes about 5 hours 55 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 2,831 miles (4,556 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Quito to New York flight path pass over?
The route tracks north over Colombia's Andes and then the Caribbean Sea, passing east of Cuba and the Bahamas chain. Over Colombia you may see the Magdalena River valley and Bogotá's savanna plateau from altitude. The Caribbean crossing offers deep blue open water with occasional island clusters — Hispaniola and Cuba appear as large landmasses. Approaching the US East Coast, the Outer Banks of North Carolina and the New Jersey coastline become visible before the descent into New York.