JFK to LHR: which side of the plane should you sit on?
New York (JFK) to London (LHR) is a 5,540 km (3,442 mi), roughly 7h 1m eastbound flight. Here is where the sun sits along that path, computed with the same astronomy as our live calculator.
On most daytime JFK to LHR 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 | Both | Left |
| December solstice | Right | Right | Night |
What you’ll see on this flight
Views do not decide this route. The cabin is split, so the shade side does the work. On a daytime eastbound flight, the left side is the shade side.
JFK to LHR gives you a split cabin. The view is mostly a mix, so the shade call comes from the sun: sit left for shade on a daytime eastbound flight.
Takeoff
After takeoff from JFK, depending on the runway in use, the left side gets the best first look. You can spot Brooklyn Bridge, the East River, Ellis Island, Liberty Island, and New York City as you climb.
En route
- 24m inRight →Cape Cod
A little after departure, Cape Cod sits on the right. It comes in as a long, narrow peninsula shape along the water.
- 52m in← LeftGulf of Maine
About 50 minutes in, the Gulf of Maine is off the left. Expect a broad sweep of open water.
- 6h 11m in← LeftAran Islands
Near the middle of the flight, the Aran Islands appear on the left. They are small and low, so they pass quickly.
- 6h 28m in← LeftDublin
A few minutes later, Dublin is also on the left. You see the city as a compact urban patch rather than a single landmark.
- 6h 41m in← LeftSnowdonia
On descent, Snowdonia comes up on the left. It reads as a wide mountainous area rather than one sharp peak.
Landing
On approach to LHR, depending on the runway in use, the left side stays useful through the final descent. London, London Bridge, Tower Bridge, and the City of Westminster are all on that side. Portsmouth sits off to the right near 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 JFK to LHR?
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 LHR 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 LHR?
The great-circle distance is 5,540 km (3,442 mi), which works out to roughly 7h 1m 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 JFK to LHR?
Sit on the left if you want shade. The route is eastbound, and the left side is the shade side on typical daytime departures.
What will I see on this flight?
You get a mixed set of views, not one winning side. Early on, the left side has New York landmarks, and later you see places like Cape Cod, the Gulf of Maine, the Aran Islands, Dublin, and Snowdonia.