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EWR destination photo
MSY destination photo

EWRMSY

Our Recommendation
8.2

Right Side of the Plane

The Right Side offers a more dramatic geographical progression, featuring the Appalachian mountain range followed by the iconic descent over Lake Pontchartrain into New Orleans.

Right Side Highlights
8.2
🏙️

Manhattan Skyline

Unrivaled views of the Empire State Building and One World Trade Center if the plane departs to the north before turning south.

🏔️

Appalachian Mountains

Fly parallel to the rolling peaks of the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains for a significant portion of the cruise.

🏞️

Shenandoah Valley

A beautiful patchwork of lush farmland and historic river valleys nestled between the mountain ridges.

🌉

Lake Pontchartrain Causeway

Look down at the world's longest continuous bridge over water as you descend into the New Orleans area.

🎷

New Orleans Skyline

Clear views of the Caesars Superdome and the crescent bend of the Mississippi River just before touchdown.

Sit on the right for the most scenic approach into MSY; planes frequently fly directly over Lake Pontchartrain, providing a sense of scale for the 24-mile Causeway. Afternoon flights are preferred here to avoid the direct glare of the sun while enjoying the golden hour over the Appalachian range.

Left Side Highlights
6.5
🗽

NYC Harbor

Aerial views of the Statue of Liberty and the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge during the initial ascent from Newark.

🌊

Chesapeake Bay

Deep views into the massive estuary system and the complex coastline of Maryland and Virginia.

🏖️

Outer Banks

On clear days, the thin ribbon of the North Carolina barrier islands is visible on the eastern horizon.

🚢

Mobile Bay

Vistas of the Alabama coastline and the busy industrial ports of the Gulf Coast during descent.

🐊

Mississippi River Delta

Intricate bird-foot delta patterns and vast wetlands where the river meets the Gulf of Mexico.

Morning flights are ideal for this side to catch the sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean. This side is also better for spotting the industrial shipping lanes of the East Coast. If the flight path takes a more easterly route, keep your eyes peeled for the distinctive curves of the Jersey Shore.

Top Activities in New Orleans
Route Information

Distance: 1,877 km (1,166 miles)

Approximate Flight Time: 2 hrs 30 min

Departure: EWR (40.69250106811523, -74.168701171875)

Arrival: MSY (29.99340057373047, -90.25800323486328)

Route Type: Domestic

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