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JFK → HKG
Which side of the plane to sit from John F Kennedy International Airport (New York) to Hong Kong International Airport (Hong Kong)?
Right Side of the Plane
While both sides offer stunning polar views, the right side typically provides a superior view of the New York City skyline upon departure and the iconic Hong Kong skyline and Victoria Harbour on a standard approach into HKG.
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Manhattan Skyline
Dramatic views of the Empire State Building and Central Park shortly after takeoff from JFK.
Arctic Ice Cap
A surreal landscape of shifting sea ice and polar barrens during the trans-polar segment of the journey.
Gobi Desert
Striking views of arid basins, rocky outcrops, and occasional sand dunes along the China-Mongolia border.
Loess Plateau
The unique, highly eroded silt landscape of north-central China with intricate terraced farming.
Victoria Harbour
The world-famous view of Hong Kong Island's skyscrapers and the busy shipping lanes of the harbour.
To maximize views of NYC, choose a window seat on the right. During the polar transit, the sun may remain on this side for many hours, so keep your window shade down when sleeping. For the Hong Kong arrival, the right side offers the best chance to see the dense skyline if the flight follows the 'Hung Hom' approach into Runway 25L/R.
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Greenland Ice Sheet
Aerial views of the massive inland ice cap and jagged coastal fjords as the flight crosses the North Atlantic.
Siberian Taiga
Vast stretches of untouched coniferous forests and winding river systems across Northern Russia.
Lake Baikal
The world's deepest and oldest freshwater lake, often visible as a massive crescent shape in Southern Siberia.
Mongolian Steppe
Expansive rolling grasslands and remote nomadic settlements under the 'Eternal Blue Sky'.
Pearl River Delta
The dense urban sprawl of Guangzhou and Shenzhen as the plane descends toward the South China Sea.
The left side is exceptional for viewing the aurora borealis if traveling during the winter months in total darkness over the poles. On arrival, if the plane lands from the west (Runway 07L/R), you will see the rugged mountains of Lantau Island and the Big Buddha in the distance.
Get eSIMs for United States
Get eSIMs for Hong KongDistance: 12,970 km (8,059 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 15 hrs 16 min
Departure: JFK (40.63980103, -73.77890015)
Arrival: HKG (22.308901, 113.915001)
Route Type: International
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