LHR to EWR: which side of the plane should you sit on?
London (LHR) to Newark (EWR) is a 5,562 km (3,456 mi), roughly 7h 3m westbound flight. Here is where the sun sits along that path, computed with the same astronomy as our live calculator.
On most daytime LHR to EWR 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 | Left |
| June solstice | Left | Left | Right |
| September equinox | Left | Left | Both |
| December solstice | Left | Left | Night |
What you’ll see on this flight
Views are pretty even here, so they do not decide the seat. Pick the right side for shade, and you still get useful scenery on both sides along the way.
This route does not really pick a views side. The shade side is right, so that is your better bet for comfort. You still get a good window show on both sides, especially over the U.K. and again near New York.
Takeoff
On departure, the right side catches London, London Bridge, Tower Bridge, and the City of Westminster as you climb out, depending on the runway in use. Portsmouth sits off the left side a minute after takeoff.
En route
- 8m inRight →Coventry
About 8 minutes in, Coventry sits off the right side.
- 20m inRight →Snowdonia
Around 20 minutes in, Snowdonia is on the right side, far off but easy to spot as a dark mountain block.
- 29m in← LeftSt George's Channel
Near 29 minutes in, St George's Channel is on the left side, a long strip of water between landmasses.
- 48m in← LeftCarrauntoohil
About 48 minutes in, Carrauntoohil is on the left side.
- 4h 56m in← LeftNewfoundland
Around 5 hours in, Newfoundland appears on the left side.
- 5h 29m in← LeftCape Breton Island
A little later, Cape Breton Island sits off the left side as you cross into the approach toward North America.
Landing
On descent, the left side gets the New York approach, depending on the runway in use. Long Island comes first, then the East River, Ellis Island, New York City, and the Brooklyn Bridge. The last few are almost under you, so they flash by fast.
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 LHR to EWR?
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 LHR to EWR 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 LHR to EWR?
The great-circle distance is 5,562 km (3,456 mi), which works out to roughly 7h 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 LHR to EWR?
Take the right side if you want the shade side. Views are mixed enough that they do not settle the choice.
What will I see near New York on the LHR to EWR flight?
The left side gets Long Island first, then the East River, Ellis Island, New York City, and the Brooklyn Bridge very late in descent.