BOM to EWR: which side of the plane should you sit on?
Mumbai (BOM) to Newark (EWR) is a 12,546 km (7,796 mi), roughly 15h 16m northbound flight. Here is where the sun sits along that path, computed with the same astronomy as our live calculator.
On most daytime BOM to EWR departures the sun favors the left side — sit on the right (a window on the right) for shade.
Sun side by season and departure time
| Season | Morning (8 am) | Midday (1 pm) | Evening (6 pm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| March equinox | Left | Left | Left |
| June solstice | Both | Both | Right |
| September equinox | Left | Left | Left |
| December solstice | Left | Left | Left |
What you’ll see on this flight
The left side gives you the better views, but it is also the sunny side. If you want the stronger scenery, sit left and expect some glare.
You want the left side for the best views, but the sun is also on the left. So this is a tradeoff: better scenery, more glare. On a daytime flight, that means choosing between sightlines and a brighter window.
Takeoff
After takeoff, the first landmarks sit on the right side, depending on the runway in use. You may catch Mumbai almost under you, with Navi Mumbai and Thane close by on the climb.
En route
- 6h 07m in← LeftMoscow
About six hours in, Moscow appears on the left as a huge city shape on the ground.
- 7h 12m in← LeftHelsinki
A little after that, Helsinki is on the left too, with the Gulf of Finland beside it and the Scandinavian Peninsula farther along the same side.
- 9h 49m inRight →Askja
Askja sits on the right, but it is not far off the track, so it comes and goes quickly.
- 9h 52m in← LeftGrímsvötn
Near the Iceland stretch, Grímsvötn, Katla, Hekla, and Seljalandsfoss all line up on the left in quick succession.
- 10h 13m inRight →Snæfellsjökull
Snæfellsjökull also shows on the right later in the Iceland segment.
Landing
On descent, the left side stays active, depending on the runway in use. Long Island comes first, then the East River, Ellis Island, New York City, and finally the Brooklyn Bridge, with the bridge and city nearly under you.
Sides and timings are computed from this route’s geometry. What you actually see depends on weather, air-traffic routing, and the runway in use on the day.
Frequently asked
Which side of the plane avoids the sun from BOM to EWR?
Across typical daytime departures, the sun predominantly hits the left side of the aircraft, so the right side stays shadier. Seat letters start at the left window, so choose the highest window letter (F on narrowbodies, K on many widebodies).
Which side has the sunset views on BOM to EWR flights?
For sunrise or sunset views, sit on the side the table marks as the sun side for your departure time — that is where the light is.
How long is the flight from BOM to EWR?
The great-circle distance is 12,546 km (7,796 mi), which works out to roughly 15h 16m in the air on this northbound routing. Winds and routing move the real block time around that estimate.
Does the date or departure time change the answer?
Yes — that is why the table shows both. The sun's path shifts with the season, and a morning departure can put the glare on the opposite side compared to an evening one. For a specific flight, the calculator samples the sun along the whole route for your exact date and time.
Which side should I sit on from BOM to EWR?
Sit on the left for the better views. It is also the sunny side, so you get more glare during the day.
What will I see near landing into EWR?
The left side gets the most on arrival: Long Island, the East River, Ellis Island, New York City, and the Brooklyn Bridge.