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OAK destination photo
JFK destination photo

OAKJFK

Our Recommendation
8.5

Left Side of the Plane

The left side offers superior views of the northern Sierra Nevada, the Great Salt Lake, and a high probability of seeing the Manhattan skyline during the final approach into JFK.

Left Side Highlights
8.5
🌉

San Francisco Bay

Immediate views of the Bay Bridge, Berkeley, and the Oakland hills during the initial ascent.

🏔️

Lake Tahoe & Sierra Nevada

Aerial perspective of the deep blue waters of Tahoe and the rugged, snow-capped peaks of the northern Sierras.

🧂

Great Salt Lake

The striking contrast of the white salt flats and the turquoise waters of Utah's massive saline lake.

🏔️

Colorado Rockies

Panoramic views of the jagged northern Rocky Mountains as you cross the Continental Divide.

🌊

The Great Lakes

Depending on the jet stream, views of the southern shores of Lake Michigan or Lake Erie across the Midwest.

🏙️

Manhattan Skyline

On typical northern arrivals (Parkway Visual), iconic views of Central Park and the Midtown skyscrapers.

For the best experience, choose a seat ahead of the wing to ensure an unobstructed view of the Sierras and the NYC skyline. Morning flights are ideal as the sun will be on the right side of the plane, providing perfectly lit landscapes on the left without glare. Watch the flight map as you cross the Hudson River for the best photo timing.

Right Side Highlights
8.2
🌁

San Francisco Peninsula

A distant but clear view of the San Francisco city grid, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Pacific coastline.

🏞️

Yosemite National Park

Vistas of the High Sierra wilderness and the granite domes of Yosemite from 35,000 feet.

🏜️

Red Rock Country

The colorful, eroded landscapes of southern Utah and northern Arizona, including glimpses of the Colorado River.

🌽

The Great Plains

The geometric 'patchwork quilt' of circular irrigation fields across Nebraska and Kansas.

⛰️

Appalachian Ridges

The long, parallel forested ridges of Pennsylvania and the Delaware Water Gap.

🏖️

The Jersey Shore

Views of the Atlantic coastline and the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge if the flight loops south for landing.

The right side is excellent for sunset views on afternoon departures from Oakland. During winter months, the low sun angle highlights the topography of the Appalachian Mountains. If landing on Runway 13L, you may see the Gateway Arch (Manhattan) across the water, though it is less consistent than the left side views.

Top Activities in New York
Route Information

Distance: 4,135 km (2,569 miles)

Approximate Flight Time: 4 hrs 52 min

Departure: OAK (37.721298, -122.221001)

Arrival: JFK (40.63980103, -73.77890015)

Route Type: Domestic

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