LIS to EWR: which side of the plane should you sit on?
Lisbon (LIS) to Newark (EWR) is a 5,434 km (3,376 mi), roughly 6h 54m westbound flight. Here is where the sun sits along that path, computed with the same astronomy as our live calculator.
On most daytime LIS 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 | Right | Left | Right |
| September equinox | Left | Left | Left |
| December solstice | Left | Left | Night |
What you’ll see on this flight
The left side wins for the views, but it also gets the sun. Pick it for scenery, and expect some glare on the way across.
You want the left side for the views. You also want the left side for the sun, so expect a bright cabin and some glare on a daytime westbound flight. The route stays interesting near Portugal at the start, then again as you drop into the New York area.
Takeoff
Soon after departure, keep an eye out on the left for Cabo da Roca, about 2 minutes in. It sits very close to the track and can pass almost under you, depending on the runway in use.
En route
- 6h 26m in← LeftCape Cod · passes underneath
About 6 minutes into cruise, Cape Cod comes up on the left and sits very close to the track, so it can slide past almost beneath you.
- 6h 28m in← LeftNantucket
A couple of minutes later, Nantucket is also on the left during descent.
- 6h 31m in← LeftMartha's Vineyard
Martha's Vineyard follows on the left a few minutes after that, also in descent.
- 6h 31m inRight →Boston
Boston is off to the right around the same time, so the city ends up as a side look rather than the main view.
- 6h 35m inRight →Worcester
Worcester stays on the right a few minutes later, well away from the window side to choose for this route.
Landing
On approach, the left side keeps the stronger payoffs. Depending on the runway in use, Long Island may sit close and nearly under you about 12 minutes before landing, then New York City and Ellis Island come into view on the left as you drop in. The East River is on the right at the same time, and the Brooklyn Bridge is also on the left just before touchdown, depending on the runway in use.
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 LIS 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 LIS 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 LIS to EWR?
The great-circle distance is 5,434 km (3,376 mi), which works out to roughly 6h 54m 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 LIS to EWR?
Sit on the left. That is the view side for this route, though it also gets the sun.
What do you see near landing into Newark?
On approach, the left side can pick up Long Island, New York City, Ellis Island, and the Brooklyn Bridge, while the East River sits off to the right.