JFK to KEF: which side of the plane should you sit on?
New York (JFK) to Reykjavík (KEF) is a 4,163 km (2,587 mi), roughly 5h 24m northbound flight. Here is where the sun sits along that path, computed with the same astronomy as our live calculator.
On most daytime JFK to KEF 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 | Left |
| June solstice | Right | Left | Left |
| September equinox | Right | Left | Left |
| December solstice | Right | Right | Night |
What you’ll see on this flight
The right side gives you the stronger views, but it is also the sun side. If you fly later in the day, the evening sun shifts to the left, which can make the right side easier on the eyes.
Sit on the right for the best views. That side also gets the sun, so you choose between scenery and glare. The left side is the shade seat.
Takeoff
On climb-out from JFK, depending on the runway in use, the left side first catches New York City, the Brooklyn Bridge, Ellis Island, and the East River. The right side picks up Long Island a few minutes later, so if you want the first clear look away from the city glow, sit right.
En route
- 10m in← LeftCatskill Mountains
Around 10 minutes in, the Catskill Mountains sit on the left. They are a low mountain mass rather than a sharp peak, and they pass quickly.
- 22m inRight →Cape Cod
About 20 minutes in, Cape Cod is off your right side. It reads as a long, narrow edge of land, with Boston and Massachusetts Bay also on the right around the same part of the flight.
- 35m in← LeftMount Washington
Roughly 35 minutes in, Mount Washington is off the left side. It is a single high peak, so you get a brief mountain look rather than a long range view.
- 52m inRight →Gulf of Maine
Near the hour mark, the Gulf of Maine opens on the right. From cruise altitude it is a broad blue-gray water shape, with little land detail to break it up.
- 3h 50m in← LeftCape Farewell · passes underneath
About 3 hours 50 minutes in, Cape Farewell comes nearly under the aircraft on the left. It is a very close pass, so it shows up fast and steeply before it slips away.
Landing
On descent into KEF, depending on the runway in use, the left side gets Þingvallavatn and Esja. The right side sees Fagradalsfjall, Hengill, and Reykjanes. It is a split finale, with water and mountains on both sides as you come in.
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 KEF?
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 KEF 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 JFK to KEF?
The great-circle distance is 4,163 km (2,587 mi), which works out to roughly 5h 24m 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 JFK to KEF for the best views?
Sit on the right. It has the stronger view score on this route, and it also keeps the main sunlight on that side during the day.
Which side is better for shade on JFK to KEF?
Sit on the left. It is the shade side for most of the flight, and the evening sun also shifts there on later departures.