GRU to JFK: which side of the plane should you sit on?
São Paulo (GRU) to New York (JFK) is a 7,664 km (4,762 mi), roughly 9h 31m northbound flight. Here is where the sun sits along that path, computed with the same astronomy as our live calculator.
On most daytime GRU 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 | Both | Left | Left |
| June solstice | Right | Left | Night |
| September equinox | Both | Left | Night |
| December solstice | Left | Left | Left |
What you’ll see on this flight
Left wins for views, but it is also the sunny side. Pick it for the scenery and accept some glare; if you fly near sunrise or sunset, the light is easier on the eyes.
You want the left side for the best views. It also gets the sun, so expect more glare on a daytime flight. On a morning or evening departure, that light can be softer.
Takeoff
After takeoff from GRU, depending on the runway in use, the left side starts with São Paulo, Osasco, and Campinas. They sit close at first, so you get a quick look at the climb-out before the ground drops away.
En route
- 5h 09m in← LeftTobago
About five hours in, Tobago sits off the left side. It is a clear island shape against open water.
- 5h 26m in← LeftSaint Vincent
A little later, Saint Vincent passes on the left. Keep the window seat there for the island chain that follows.
- 5h 26m in← LeftWindward Islands
The Windward Islands also line up on the left. This is a broad cluster, so you are looking for scattered island forms rather than one big landmark.
- 5h 56m in← LeftMontserrat
Around six hours in, Montserrat comes up on the left. It is one of the cleaner single-island views on this route.
- 6h 02m in← LeftSaint Kitts
Saint Kitts stays on the left as well. It passes with a few neighboring islands nearby, so the view feels busy rather than isolated.
- 6h 09m in← LeftSaint Martin
Near the end of cruise, Saint Martin is still on the left. It is one of the last island views before descent.
Landing
On descent into JFK, depending on the runway in use, the left side keeps the action: New York City, the East River, the Brooklyn Bridge, and Ellis Island. Long Island is on the right, so this is the side for the city approach.
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 GRU 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 GRU to JFK 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 GRU to JFK?
The great-circle distance is 7,664 km (4,762 mi), which works out to roughly 9h 31m 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 GRU to JFK?
Sit on the left. It is the view side for this route, and it also gets the sun.
What will I see on the way into JFK?
On the left, you can get New York City, the East River, the Brooklyn Bridge, and Ellis Island during descent.