EWR to BOM: which side of the plane should you sit on?
Newark (EWR) to Mumbai (BOM) 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 EWR to BOM departures the sun favors the right side — sit on the left (an A seat) for shade.
Sun side by season and departure time
| Season | Morning (8 am) | Midday (1 pm) | Evening (6 pm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| March equinox | Right | Left | Right |
| June solstice | Both | Left | Left |
| September equinox | Right | Left | Right |
| December solstice | Right | Right | Right |
What you’ll see on this flight
The right side gives you the better views, but the left side is the shade side. If you want scenery, sit right. If you want less glare, sit left.
You want the right side for the best views. You want the left side for shade. It is a real tradeoff on this route.
Takeoff
On departure from EWR, depending on the runway in use, the right side gives you the best early look. In the first few minutes you can catch the East River, Brooklyn Bridge, New York City, Ellis Island, and Long Island. Several of those pass almost under you, so the view is quick and steep.
En route
- 5h 03m in← LeftSnæfellsjökull
About five hours in, Snæfellsjökull sits off the left side. It is a sharp volcanic shape, easy to spot if the sky is clear.
- 5h 15m inRight →Hekla
A little after five and a quarter hours in, Hekla is on the right. You get a broad volcanic profile rather than a close-up.
- 8h 04m inRight →Helsinki
Around eight hours in, Helsinki is on the right. You see a compact city edge from cruising height, with water around it.
- 8h 23m in← LeftSaint Petersburg
Not long after that, Saint Petersburg stays to the left. From above, it reads as a wide city spread rather than a single landmark.
- 9h 09m inRight →Moscow
Near nine hours in, Moscow is on the right. It is a late-route city view, best read as a large urban area below.
Landing
On descent into BOM, depending on the runway in use, the left side is the one to keep on. Navi Mumbai, Thane, and Mumbai are all on that side, with Mumbai nearly under you at the end.
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 EWR to BOM?
Across typical daytime departures, the sun predominantly hits the right side of the aircraft, so the left side stays shadier. Seat letters start at the left window, so choose an A seat.
Which side has the sunset views on EWR to BOM 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 EWR to BOM?
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 EWR to BOM?
Sit on the right for the views. Sit on the left for shade.
Do I get city views on approach to BOM?
Yes. On descent, the left side has Navi Mumbai, Thane, and Mumbai, with Mumbai nearly under the aircraft.