The right side delivers the more dramatic takeoff experience with Gulf St Vincent and the Adelaide Hills, and during the long overwater cruise the views are largely symmetric. The left-side landing advantage at Haneda is real but brief. Right side wins overall for the quality of the departure scenery.
Flight Path
The route tracks northeast from Adelaide across the Australian outback of South Australia and Queensland, crossing the Great Dividing Range near the Queensland coast, then over the Coral Sea. The flight crosses the Tropic of Capricorn over central Queensland. After departing the Australian coast near Cairns or Townsville, the route crosses the Coral Sea, passes over or near Papua New Guinea and its mountainous interior, then continues northeast over the Philippine Sea and the Ryukyu Islands chain before descending toward Honshu and Tokyo. The Ryukyu Islands including Okinawa are often visible as low green islands in otherwise open ocean during the final hours of the flight.
Great circle distance and headings ›
Phase by phase
Takeoff from ADL
RIGHTAdelaide airport runways 05/23 and 12/30 mean most departures heading northeast toward Japan will give right-side passengers views over the Adelaide CBD, Port Adelaide, and Gulf St Vincent. The city grid and the distinctive blue of the gulf are clearly visible during climb-out before turning north.
Landing at HND
LEFTTokyo Haneda primarily uses runways 34L/34R for northerly arrivals, meaning aircraft approach from the south over Tokyo Bay. Left-side passengers get a sweeping view of Tokyo Bay, the Rainbow Bridge, and the dense urban fabric of central Tokyo including Shinjuku and the Imperial Palace grounds as the aircraft descends.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Adelaide International (ADL) to Tokyo International (HND)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Adelaide to Tokyo. The right side delivers the more dramatic takeoff experience with Gulf St Vincent and the Adelaide Hills, and during the long overwater cruise the views are largely symmetric. The left-side landing advantage at Haneda is real but brief. Right side wins overall for the quality of the departure scenery.
What can I see during takeoff from Adelaide International in Adelaide?
During takeoff from Adelaide International (ADL), sit on the Right side for the best views. Adelaide airport runways 05/23 and 12/30 mean most departures heading northeast toward Japan will give right-side passengers views over the Adelaide CBD, Port Adelaide, and Gulf St Vincent. The city grid and the distinctive blue of the gulf are clearly visible during climb-out before turning north. Notable sights include: Adelaide CBD grid, Gulf St Vincent, Port River estuary, Mount Lofty Ranges to the east.
What can I see when landing at Tokyo International in Tokyo?
When landing at Tokyo International (HND), sit on the Left side for the best views. Tokyo Haneda primarily uses runways 34L/34R for northerly arrivals, meaning aircraft approach from the south over Tokyo Bay. Left-side passengers get a sweeping view of Tokyo Bay, the Rainbow Bridge, and the dense urban fabric of central Tokyo including Shinjuku and the Imperial Palace grounds as the aircraft descends. Notable sights include: Tokyo Bay, Rainbow Bridge and Odaiba, Shinjuku skyscraper cluster, Imperial Palace grounds.
How long is the flight from Adelaide to Tokyo?
The flight from Adelaide International (ADL) to Tokyo International (HND) takes Approximately 11 to 12 hours depending on routing and winds.
What does the Adelaide to Tokyo flight path pass over?
The route tracks northeast from Adelaide across the Australian outback of South Australia and Queensland, crossing the Great Dividing Range near the Queensland coast, then over the Coral Sea. The flight crosses the Tropic of Capricorn over central Queensland. After departing the Australian coast near Cairns or Townsville, the route crosses the Coral Sea, passes over or near Papua New Guinea and its mountainous interior, then continues northeast over the Philippine Sea and the Ryukyu Islands chain before descending toward Honshu and Tokyo. The Ryukyu Islands including Okinawa are often visible as low green islands in otherwise open ocean during the final hours of the flight.