TLV to JFK: which side of the plane should you sit on?
Tel Aviv (TLV) to New York (JFK) is a 9,117 km (5,665 mi), roughly 11h 14m westbound flight. Here is where the sun sits along that path, computed with the same astronomy as our live calculator.
On most daytime TLV 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 | Night |
| June solstice | Both | Left | Right |
| September equinox | Left | Left | Left |
| December solstice | Left | Left | Night |
What you’ll see on this flight
Views do not decide this route. Choose the shade side first, then enjoy the best bits when they appear.
This westbound flight gives you a mixed view story. No single side wins, so pick the shade side first and treat the scenery as a bonus.
Takeoff
After departure from TLV, depending on the runway in use, the Dead Sea and the Judaean Mountains sit on the left, while Mount Gerizim and Mount Nebo are on the right. Mount Herzl is also on the left, so the first few minutes already give you a split view.
En route
- 1h 03m in← LeftDodecanese
About an hour in, the Dodecanese are on your left. It is a cluster of Greek islands, so you get a patchwork of small land shapes rather than one single target.
- 1h 46m in← LeftMount Olympus
A little after that, Mount Olympus appears on the left. It is a sharp mountain landmark, easy to pick out if the sky is clear.
- 3h 10m in← LeftLake Garda
Around three hours in, Lake Garda is on the left. From cruise altitude it reads as a clean blue shape tucked into the landscape.
- 3h 30m in← LeftMont Blanc
Mont Blanc comes next on the left, about three and a half hours in. It is the high Alpine marker on this stretch, and it stands out as a large white mountain mass.
- 10h 14m inRight →Bay of Fundy
Near the end of the flight, the Bay of Fundy is on the right. It is a wide coastal inlet, so you are looking for broad water and shoreline rather than a single peak.
Landing
On descent into JFK, depending on the runway in use, New York City, the East River, the Brooklyn Bridge, Ellis Island, and Liberty Island are all on the right. That side carries the approach views, with water and city shapes coming into view together.
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 TLV 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 TLV 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 TLV to JFK?
The great-circle distance is 9,117 km (5,665 mi), which works out to roughly 11h 14m 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 TLV to JFK views?
There is no clear views winner here. Pick the shade side first, then use the window for the landmarks that appear on your side.
What will I see after takeoff from TLV?
Right after takeoff, the Dead Sea and the Judaean Mountains are on the left. Mount Gerizim and Mount Nebo are on the right, with Mount Herzl also on the left.