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SLC destination photo
JFK destination photo

SLCJFK

Our Recommendation
8.5

Left Side of the Plane

The left side offers a superior view of the Great Salt Lake upon departure and the spectacular Great Lakes during the mid-flight, concluding with a dramatic aerial perspective of Manhattan on most arrival patterns into JFK.

Left Side Highlights
8.5
🌊

Great Salt Lake

Immediate views of the turquoise salt-concentrated waters and the vast white salt flats north of SLC.

🏔️

Northern Rockies

Aerial vistas of the Uinta Mountains and the rugged wilderness along the Utah-Wyoming border.

🏙️

Chicago Skyline

Depending on the flight path, a distant but clear view of the Willis Tower and the Lake Michigan shoreline.

🚢

Lake Erie Shoreline

Extensive views of the Great Lakes region, including the coastal cities of Cleveland and Erie.

🌳

Hudson River Valley

The lush greenery of upstate New York and the winding Hudson River as the plane begins its final descent.

🏙️

Upper Manhattan

Iconic views of Central Park, the George Washington Bridge, and the dense skyscrapers of the Upper East Side.

Sit on the left for the best views of the NYC skyline if the aircraft arrives from the north. This side is also ideal for morning flights to avoid the direct southern sun, providing better conditions for photography of the Great Lakes.

Right Side Highlights
7.2
⛰️

Wasatch Range

Stunning, close-up views of the jagged peaks flanking Salt Lake City during the initial climb.

🌾

Platte River

The winding, braided channels of the Platte River snaking across the vast Nebraska plains.

🛤️

Appalachian Ridges

The distinctive parallel ridges and valleys of the Appalachian Mountains through Pennsylvania.

🗽

Lower Manhattan

Frequent views of the One World Trade Center and New York Harbor during the final turn toward JFK.

🏖️

Long Island South Shore

A clear view of the barrier islands, Jones Beach, and the Atlantic Ocean just before touchdown.

Choose the right side for spectacular mountain views immediately after takeoff. On a clear day, this side offers a better view of the Statue of Liberty during specific approach patterns (like the Parkway Visual) into JFK's runway 13L/R.

Top Activities in New York
Route Information

Distance: 3,194 km (1,985 miles)

Approximate Flight Time: 3 hrs 45 min

Departure: SLC (40.78839874267578, -111.97799682617188)

Arrival: JFK (40.63980103, -73.77890015)

Route Type: Domestic

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