Left side wins at both ends of the flight. During the transatlantic cruise at 35,000 feet over the North Atlantic, neither side offers dramatic terrain differences, but the left side also gives slightly better angles on the southern tip of Greenland's ice sheet and Labrador coastline as the great circle route arcs northward.
Flight Path
The great circle route from VIE to JFK arcs northward over southern Germany and Bavaria, then across France or the English Channel, out over the Celtic Sea and southern Ireland, then the North Atlantic. The route passes south of Iceland, with the southern tip of Greenland and its ice cap visible on the left side if conditions are clear. Over Canada, the Labrador coast and then the Gulf of St. Lawrence appear before descending toward New England and New York.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from VIE
LEFTVienna Schwechat typically departs westbound on runway 29, so the left (south) side gives you a clear view back over Vienna's city center, the Danube, and the Wienerwald hills. The right side faces north toward flat agricultural plains with little of interest.
Landing at JFK
LEFTJFK approaches typically come in from the east or northeast over the Atlantic, landing on runways oriented roughly east-west. On the standard ILS approach to runway 22L or from the east on 13L, the left side gives you the best view of Lower Manhattan's skyline, New York Harbor, and the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge as you descend over Jamaica Bay.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Schwechat (VIE) to John F Kennedy International (JFK)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Vienna to New York. Left side wins at both ends of the flight. During the transatlantic cruise at 35,000 feet over the North Atlantic, neither side offers dramatic terrain differences, but the left side also gives slightly better angles on the southern tip of Greenland's ice sheet and Labrador coastline as the great circle route arcs northward.
What can I see during takeoff from Schwechat in Vienna?
During takeoff from Schwechat (VIE), sit on the Left side for the best views. Vienna Schwechat typically departs westbound on runway 29, so the left (south) side gives you a clear view back over Vienna's city center, the Danube, and the Wienerwald hills. The right side faces north toward flat agricultural plains with little of interest. Notable sights include: Vienna city center and Ringstrasse, the Danube river bending northwest, Wienerwald forested hills, Bratislava visible to the northeast on the left side during the turn.
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 east or northeast over the Atlantic, landing on runways oriented roughly east-west. On the standard ILS approach to runway 22L or from the east on 13L, the left side gives you the best view of Lower Manhattan's skyline, New York Harbor, and the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge as you descend over Jamaica Bay. Notable sights include: Lower Manhattan skyline, New York Harbor and Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, Jamaica Bay wetlands directly below on final approach, Brooklyn waterfront.
How long is the flight from Vienna to New York?
The flight from Schwechat (VIE) to John F Kennedy International (JFK) takes Approximately 9 to 10 hours.
What does the Vienna to New York flight path pass over?
The great circle route from VIE to JFK arcs northward over southern Germany and Bavaria, then across France or the English Channel, out over the Celtic Sea and southern Ireland, then the North Atlantic. The route passes south of Iceland, with the southern tip of Greenland and its ice cap visible on the left side if conditions are clear. Over Canada, the Labrador coast and then the Gulf of St. Lawrence appear before descending toward New England and New York.