LHR to JFK: which side of the plane should you sit on?
London (LHR) to New York (JFK) is a 5,540 km (3,442 mi), roughly 7h 1m 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 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 | Left |
| June solstice | Left | Left | Right |
| September equinox | Left | Left | Both |
| December solstice | Left | Left | Night |
What you’ll see on this flight
Right side wins for both views and shade.
Sit on the right. The views and the shade line up on this route, so you get the better window and the sun off your side.
Takeoff
On departure from LHR, the right side gives you the early show, depending on the runway in use. London appears first, then the bridges over the Thames, and the city slides back under the wing.
En route
- 10m inRight →Birmingham
About 10 minutes in, Birmingham sits off the right side. It is a clear city shape before the route turns toward Wales.
- 20m inRight →Snowdonia
Around 20 minutes in, Snowdonia appears on the right. It is a mountainous patch, and it comes through quickly.
- 24m inRight →Anglesey
Near 24 minutes in, Anglesey is on the right. You see an island edge against the water, then it is gone.
- 33m inRight →Dublin
About 33 minutes in, Dublin is off the right side. On a clear day, it is the biggest urban mark on this stretch.
- 6h 09m inRight →Gulf of Maine
Around 6 hours 10 minutes in, the Gulf of Maine comes up on the right. It is a wide sweep of water, a change of texture after the long crossing.
Landing
On arrival at JFK, keep to the right, depending on the runway in use. New York City, the East River, Ellis Island, Liberty Island, and Brooklyn Bridge all stack up on that side as you descend.
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 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 LHR to JFK 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 JFK?
The great-circle distance is 5,540 km (3,442 mi), which works out to roughly 7h 1m 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 from LHR to JFK?
Sit on the right. That side has the better views, and it is also the shaded side.
What will I see on the LHR to JFK flight?
Early on you get London, then bridges and cities in Britain and Ireland, and later a view of New York on descent.