KEF to BOS: which side of the plane should you sit on?
Reykjavík (KEF) to Boston (BOS) is a 3,875 km (2,408 mi), roughly 5h 3m westbound flight. Here is where the sun sits along that path, computed with the same astronomy as our live calculator.
On most daytime KEF to BOS 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 | Left | Left | Right |
| June solstice | Left | Left | Right |
| September equinox | Left | Left | Right |
| December solstice | Left | Left | Night |
What you’ll see on this flight
Views do not decide this route. Go with the right side for shade.
This route does not pick a clear viewing side. Sit right for shade, then watch the left and right windows for different moments along the way.
Takeoff
After takeoff from KEF, depending on the runway in use, the first minutes give you a quick mix of Iceland scenery on both sides. Keep an eye on the right for Þingvallavatn and Esja, while the left can show Fagradalsfjall, Hengill, and the Reykjanes peninsula.
En route
- 1h 34m inRight →Cape Farewell
About an hour and a half in, Cape Farewell appears on the right as a sharp stretch of Greenland coast.
- 3h 44m in← LeftAnticosti Island · passes underneath
Around three and a half hours in, Anticosti Island passes nearly under you on the left. It is a brief, steep look rather than a long one.
- 3h 58m inRight →Gaspé Peninsula
A few minutes later, the Gaspé Peninsula runs along the right as a broad landmass edging the water.
- 4h 25m in← LeftBay of Fundy
Near the last hour, the Bay of Fundy sits on the left. It reads as a wide coastal opening, not a single point of detail.
- 4h 30m inRight →Katahdin
Soon after, Katahdin rises on the right. It stands out as a lone mountain shape above the surrounding terrain.
- 4h 34m in← LeftGulf of Maine
By the end of cruise, the Gulf of Maine stays to the left as a large sweep of water before descent.
Landing
On descent into BOS, depending on the runway in use, Massachusetts Bay can sit off the left while Worcester comes into view on the right. Boston itself is nearly under you at the end, so the final approach is more about a quick city glimpse than a long look.
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 KEF to BOS?
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 KEF to BOS 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 KEF to BOS?
The great-circle distance is 3,875 km (2,408 mi), which works out to roughly 5h 3m in the air on this westbound 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 for KEF to BOS?
Pick the right side for shade. Views are split enough that neither side wins clearly overall.
What will I see on this flight?
You get Iceland on departure, then Greenland and Atlantic Canada features en route, with Maine and Massachusetts on arrival. A few are brief, and Anticosti Island passes nearly under the aircraft.