Which side of the plane has the best view when flying from JFK to SFO and vice versa?

Question

Flying in March on Virgin America.

THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 1

airplane nerds it doesnt mater what side all i see is ----

Answer 2

During take off and landings, you will be able to get a view of the cities, but what you will see outside depends on the departure or approach pattern the aircraft is flying.  There's really no way to predict that, as it depends on local wind and weather conditions at the time of take off/landng.  Once your airplane reaches cruising altitude, there's not much difference.  It's hard to make out any landmarks when flying at 35,000 ft, and often there's a thick layer of clouds below you so you can't see the ground anyway.  

The only recommendation I can make is to try NOT to end up with a seat directly over the wings, as you won't have much of a view of anything from there.  The best views of the ground are from seats located forward of the wings.

Answer 3

If you're thinking in terms of seeing landmarks from the air I don't think there will be much difference.  Even on the ground the difference in what you will see at the airport will be marginal.

Better to consider where the sun will be in the sky based on the time of day you are flying and then adjust accordingly.  (Depending on how much you enjoy having the sun shining right in on you.)

Answer 4

I'll vote for the left side.  But only a little.

Only because as you depart NY, you'll get a pretty decent view of the finger lakes and Niagara Falls (if you can find it, its pretty small from 35,000').

After that, maybe the Great Lakes, though that might be better from the other side, depending on your routing.  After the great lakes, theres not much to see until you get to the Rockies, and they will go off in both directions so it won't matter much.

All in all, I don't think it will matter very much.