KEF to JFK: which side of the plane should you sit on?
Reykjavík (KEF) to New York (JFK) is a 4,163 km (2,587 mi), roughly 5h 24m 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 JFK 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 are fairly even on this route, so they do not pick a clear side. Go with the shade side.
You get a mixed bag on this westbound hop. Iceland gives you a quick start, then the mid-flight is split, and the final approach stacks up city and harbor views on the right. The shade call still matters more than the views call.
Takeoff
After takeoff from KEF, depending on the runway in use, you can catch Þingvallavatn on the right, with Fagradalsfjall, Hengill, and Reykjanes on the left. Esja sits off the right side too, so both windows have something in the opening climb.
En route
- 1h 34m inRight →Cape Farewell · passes underneath
About an hour and a half in, Cape Farewell comes up very close on the right. It is nearly under you, so the view is brief and steep.
- 3h 42m inRight →Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve
Around three and a half hours in, the Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve is off the right side. It is a quiet coastal stretch, best seen as the light landforms break from the water.
- 3h 52m in← LeftForillon National Park
A few minutes later, Forillon National Park sits on the left. You see it as another low coastal edge, not a single bold feature.
- 4h 29m inRight →Katahdin
Near the middle-late part of cruise, Katahdin appears on the right. It is the high point in that stretch, and it stands out better than the flatter ground around it.
- 5h 02m in← LeftBoston
On descent, Boston is on the left. It comes with Worcester and Lake Chaubunagungamaug, so the approach starts to feel more built up.
Landing
On arrival into JFK, depending on the runway in use, the last stretch puts Long Island to the left and the East River, Ellis Island, Brooklyn Bridge, and New York City to the right. That side gives you the denser arrival picture.
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 JFK?
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 JFK 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 JFK?
The great-circle distance is 4,163 km (2,587 mi), which works out to roughly 5h 24m 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 JFK views?
Views are split on this route, so they do not decide the seat. Follow the shade side instead.
What landmarks do I see after leaving Reykjavík on KEF to JFK?
Soon after takeoff you can see Þingvallavatn on the right and Fagradalsfjall, Hengill, and Reykjanes on the left. Esja is also on the right.