JFK to WAW: which side of the plane should you sit on?
New York (JFK) to Warsaw (WAW) is a 6,848 km (4,255 mi), roughly 8h 33m 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 WAW 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 | Both | Left |
| June solstice | Right | Left | Left |
| September equinox | Right | Left | Left |
| December solstice | Right | Right | Right |
What you’ll see on this flight
The right side wins for views, but it also gets the sun. If you want the best scenery, sit right and deal with some glare.
You want the right side on this route. It has the stronger views, but it is also the sunny side, so expect glare on a daytime flight.
Takeoff
On climbout, depending on the runway in use, the left side can catch the Brooklyn Bridge, the East River, New York City, and Ellis Island close in. The right side then picks up Long Island a few minutes after takeoff.
En route
- 22m inRight →Boston
About 20 minutes in, Boston sits off the right side. It is a quick city glimpse, not a long look.
- 1h 01m inRight →Bay of Fundy
Around an hour in, the Bay of Fundy comes up on the right. You see a wide water shape, set far below and off to the side.
- 6h 12m in← LeftHebrides
Near the six-hour mark, the Hebrides slide by on the left. The sight is brief and distant, but it is a clear island chain view.
- 6h 16m inRight →Isle of Skye
Just after that, the Isle of Skye is on the right. It passes fairly close, so it stands out more than the other Scottish landmarks.
- 6h 23m inRight →Ben Nevis
A few minutes later, Ben Nevis is also on the right. It is the high point in the sequence, but it stays a side view rather than an overhead pass.
- 7h 43m in← LeftCopenhagen
Later in cruise, Copenhagen is on the left with Zealand and Øresund nearby on the same side. Those left-side views are broad and spread out rather than one single close-up.
Landing
On descent, depending on the runway in use, the right side is the better pick for Łódź and Radom as you come in. Warsaw itself passes almost under the left side at the end, so the last city view is brief and steep.
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 WAW?
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 WAW flights?
For sunrise or sunset views, sit on the side the table marks as the sun side for your departure time — that is where the light is.
How long is the flight from JFK to WAW?
The great-circle distance is 6,848 km (4,255 mi), which works out to roughly 8h 33m 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 WAW?
Sit on the right for the best overall views. It also gets the sun, so you trade some shade for better scenery.
Will I see Warsaw on landing into WAW?
Yes, but only briefly. Warsaw passes almost under the left side near touchdown, so it is a quick, steep look.