DUB to JFK: which side of the plane should you sit on?
Dublin (DUB) to New York (JFK) is a 5,103 km (3,171 mi), roughly 6h 30m westbound flight. Here is where the sun sits along that path, computed with the same astronomy as our live calculator.
On most daytime DUB to JFK 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 | Left | Left | Right |
| September equinox | Left | Left | Both |
| December solstice | Left | Left | Night |
What you’ll see on this flight
The left side is the better pick for views, but it is also the sun side. Choose left if you want the scenery; choose right if you want less glare.
On this westbound flight, the left side gets the better views. It is also the sunny side on a typical departure, so you get the scenery with more glare.
Takeoff
Sit left for the climb out of Dublin, depending on the runway in use. You can see the Wicklow Mountains and then Dublin itself very early, with the city passing almost under you before the shoreline falls away.
En route
- 8m in← LeftIreland
About 8 minutes in, Ireland stays on your left as you climb away. It reads as one broad island shape before the ocean takes over.
- 15m in← LeftGalway Bay
Around 15 minutes in, Galway Bay opens on the left. It is a clean sweep of water on the west coast.
- 15m in← LeftCliffs of Moher
Also around 15 minutes in, the Cliffs of Moher sit on the left. You get a quick look at the Atlantic edge, not a long one.
- 5h 28m in← LeftBay of Fundy · passes underneath
About 5 and a half hours in, the Bay of Fundy comes up on the left, very close to the route. It is one of the sharpest near-pass views on the flight.
- 6h 07m inRight →Boston · passes underneath
Near landing, Boston is on the right and nearly under the aircraft. It is a brief city view as you start down.
Landing
On descent, the right side gets the approach into New York, depending on the runway in use. Boston, Worcester, and Lake Chaubunagungamaug appear first on that side, then the right side carries the final city views with the East River, Ellis Island, Liberty Island, Brooklyn Bridge, and New York City itself.
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 DUB to JFK?
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 DUB to JFK 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 DUB to JFK?
The great-circle distance is 5,103 km (3,171 mi), which works out to roughly 6h 30m in the air on this westbound 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 DUB to JFK for the best views?
Sit on the left. It has the stronger view score on this route, though it is also the sunny side on a typical departure.
Will I see New York on arrival into JFK?
Yes. The right side gets the approach views, including the East River, Ellis Island, Liberty Island, Brooklyn Bridge, and New York City.