EWR to LIS: which side of the plane should you sit on?
Newark (EWR) to Lisbon (LIS) is a 5,434 km (3,376 mi), roughly 6h 54m eastbound flight. Here is where the sun sits along that path, computed with the same astronomy as our live calculator.
On most daytime EWR to LIS 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 | Right | Left |
| June solstice | Right | Left | Left |
| September equinox | Right | Right | Left |
| December solstice | Right | Right | Night |
What you’ll see on this flight
Views do not give one side the edge on this route, so use the shade side if that matters more to you.
This route is split. The first minutes are all about New York on the right, then you get a mix of Massachusetts coastline and islands on both sides. For shade, the left side is the better pick.
Takeoff
After takeoff from EWR, depending on the runway in use, the right side gets the quick payoff. New York City, the Brooklyn Bridge, Ellis Island, and Long Island all sit that way, and they pass very close as you climb. The left side has the East River.
En route
- 23m in← LeftBoston
About 20 minutes in, Boston appears on the left. It is a distant city view, not a close pass.
- 23m inRight →Martha's Vineyard
A little later, Martha's Vineyard shows on the right as an island view off the coast.
- 25m in← LeftMassachusetts Bay
Massachusetts Bay is on the left after that, a broad water view that reads more as shape than detail from cruise altitude.
- 26m inRight →Nantucket
Nantucket follows on the right too, another island glimpse while you are still over the Atlantic side of the route.
- 28m inRight →Cape Cod · passes underneath
Around half an hour after departure, Cape Cod sits nearly under the right side. It is a brief, steep look, so keep that window ready.
Landing
On approach to LIS, depending on the runway in use, the right side gets the last clear sightline. About seven hours in, Cabo da Roca comes in very close on that side. It is a short coastal pass before landing, so watch for it while you still have daylight.
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 LIS?
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 LIS flights?
For sunset views, flip the advice: on evening departures the sun sits on the left side of this route, so that is the side with the show.
How long is the flight from EWR to LIS?
The great-circle distance is 5,434 km (3,376 mi), which works out to roughly 6h 54m in the air on this eastbound 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 LIS?
For views, there is no single winner. For shade, the left side is better on this eastbound flight.
What will I see after takeoff from Newark?
The right side gets the main close views: New York City, the Brooklyn Bridge, Ellis Island, and Long Island. The left side sees the East River.