JFK to GRU: which side of the plane should you sit on?
New York (JFK) to São Paulo (GRU) is a 7,664 km (4,762 mi), roughly 9h 31m southbound flight. Here is where the sun sits along that path, computed with the same astronomy as our live calculator.
On most daytime JFK to GRU 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 | Both | Right | Right |
| June solstice | Right | Right | Right |
| September equinox | Both | Right | Right |
| December solstice | Right | Right | Right |
What you’ll see on this flight
Right side for the views, but it is also the sunny side. If you want the strongest scenery, sit right and expect some glare; if you prefer a softer cabin, the left is the shade side.
Fly right for the views on this route. The same side also takes the sun, so you trade glare for the best sightlines.
Takeoff
On departure from JFK, depending on the runway in use, the first few minutes put Long Island off the left and New York City, the East River, Brooklyn Bridge, and Ellis Island off the right.
En route
- 3h 22m inRight →Saint Martin
About three and a half hours in, Saint Martin comes up on the right.
- 3h 25m inRight →Saba
A few minutes later, Saba also sits to the right, with the island looking small and dark from cruise height.
- 3h 29m inRight →Saint Kitts
Saint Kitts stays on the right too, another clear island view from the same side.
- 3h 33m in← LeftAntigua
Antigua appears on the left, while the Leeward Islands line up nearby on the same side.
- 3h 35m inRight →Montserrat
Montserrat follows on the right, part of a long Caribbean chain that keeps the right-hand window busy.
- 4h 22m inRight →Tobago
Later on, Tobago is still on the right as the route pushes south.
Landing
On arrival into GRU, depending on the runway in use, São Paulo and Osasco come into view on the right, with Campinas earlier in the descent and Mogi das Cruzes off the left.
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 JFK to GRU?
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 JFK to GRU flights?
For sunset views, flip the advice: on evening departures the sun sits on the right side of this route, so that is the side with the show.
How long is the flight from JFK to GRU?
The great-circle distance is 7,664 km (4,762 mi), which works out to roughly 9h 31m in the air on this southbound 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 JFK to GRU for the best views?
Sit on the right. That is the views side for this route.
Which side has the shade on JFK to GRU?
The left side has the shade, so it is the better pick if you want less sun.