How to Choose the Best Airline Seat for Fantastic NYC Approach Views
BY MARK CHESNUT
I live in New York City, and I’ve flown into the Big Apple countless times. But there’s one thing that never gets tired, no matter how many flights I take: a fantastic New York City view when a plane makes the final approach for landing.
When you’re lucky enough to get a great Manhattan view on a flight to New York, it’s an unforgettable experience. You can get a bird’s-eye glimpse of the stately Statue of Liberty, the soaring Empire State Building, the glowing Times Square and the sprawling Central Park. It’s like watching the opening credits of a movie (or Saturday Night Live) unfurl below you.
But not every flight offers a great view, and not every seat does, either. So how can you make sure you get the best seat?
Luck certainly plays a big role in the quality of the view you get on a flight to New York City. But there are also steps that you can take to increase the chances that you’ll be treated to visuals worthy of an Instagram Reel (which I happened to make on my last flight).
Here are some insider tips that I’ve learned through experience and research about how to choose the best seat on your flights to New York City.
Which New York City Airport is Best?
New York City is served primarily by three major airports: John F. Kennedy International Airport, LaGuardia Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport. Each of these airports has its own unique selling points (and its own annoyances). But when it comes to assuring the best Manhattan views on approach, the safest bet – by far — is LaGuardia Airport.
Why? Because LaGuardia is located close to Manhattan, and flight paths leading to LaGuardia are more likely to fly closer to the impressive skyline and all those legendary icons. Your Instagram account will thank you.
LaGuardia Airport, by the way, is also an especially attractive airport in its own right. Its new terminals are modern, comfortable and attractive — so if you haven’t been there in a few years, you’re going to be pleasantly surprised by the airport experience.
What New York City Flights Offer the Best Views?
Choosing LaGuardia doesn’t automatically mean you’re guaranteed the best view. The route you’re flying also plays a part, since approach paths can vary based on which direction you’re coming in from.
Flights coming from the north and northwest, for example, probably won’t take the scenic route (I’ve flown from Rochester, New York to LaGuardia dozens of times and have never gotten the jackpot view).
If you’re flying in from the south or southwest, you’re more likely to follow the coveted approach route. In that case, a window seat on the left side of the plane is often the best choice for a camera-worthy approach — however, that’s not always the case. On my most recent flight into LaGuardia from Nashville, I happened to get an upgrade to first class, and they put me in a window seat on the right side of the plane. I wasn’t even thinking about trying to get a view, so I was thrilled when our aircraft glided along the west side of Manhattan, providing an incredible vista.
So how do you know which side to choose? Read on.
Research Your Flight Path
Believe it or not, you can check the flight path that your plane is slated to follow before you leave. Use a website or app like FlightAware or FlightRadar24 to view the projected flight path, and then choose your airline seat based on that. Changes do occur to flight paths, of course, so your satisfaction isn’t guaranteed, but it still increases your chances of having a memorable final approach.
What about all those flights that don’t go close to Manhattan? Well, you still might see some interesting scenery. On some approach routes to LaGuardia, you may fly over parts of Westchester County and Connecticut before landing, and you might see the Rikers Island prison just before touchdown. Another, more interesting route comes in from the east, with the possibility of gliding over Flushing Meadows Corona Park — take a window seat on the left and you may get an up-close view of the Unisphere, the massive globe sculpture that dates to the 1964 World’s Fair.
How to Take Photos and Video While Flying
LaGuardia’s proximity to Manhattan means shorter final approaches, so have that camera ready! And if you’re flying during sunset, the golden light reflecting off the skyscrapers is a sight to behold—perfect for that Insta-worthy shot. I like to take some photos and videos that include the frame of the airplane window, to provide some context to my shots, as well as some that don’t show the window at all (one of the most annoying things is when the airplane window is dirty or scratched, but there’s not much you can do about that, other than focus your camera on the city).
Extra Travel Tips for Airline View Enthusiasts
• Time your arrival strategically: I personally love landing at LaGuardia Airport in the early evening, when it’s getting dark but there is still some light in the sky. That way, you can see more building details but also appreciate the lights of the city — especially at Times Square.
• Check the Weather: If it’s cloudy or raining, you may not get the perfect view regardless of your seat. But hey, that’s the fun of flying—there’s always a bit of unpredictability!
• Get to Know Your Route: Some flights will circle around depending on wind patterns or air traffic, so the view could change. But sticking to these tips still gives you the best odds.
• Pre-Boarding Strategy: Always try to select your seat as far in advance as possible to snag that prized window spot — and check in early, too. Be ready to change your seat if you see the flight path has changed.
Post a comment