The right side wins on both ends of the flight, with a clear view of Amsterdam and the IJsselmeer at departure and an iconic Mount Fuji and Tokyo Bay view on arrival, while the left side's coastal and Siberian plains views are comparatively flat and repetitive.
Flown AMS to NRT? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Amsterdam to Tokyo is 5,790 miles (9,318 km), a flight of about 11 hours 50 minutes.
The great-circle track arcs north over Germany and the Baltic states before crossing western Russia, passing near the southern Ural Mountains, then over the vast taiga and steppe of central Siberia, skirting the Lake Baikal region, and finally crossing the Sea of Okhotsk and Sakhalin Island before descending toward Japan.
Great circle distance and headings ›
Phase by phase
Takeoff from AMS
RIGHTDeparting from the Polderbaan and turning onto the northeast track toward Scandinavia, the right side looks back over Amsterdam's canal-ring skyline and the broad IJsselmeer before the patchwork of Dutch polders takes over. The left side only offers the flatter, less distinctive North Sea coastline and dunes.
Landing at NRT
RIGHTOn the descent into Narita from the north, the right side of the aircraft faces west across the Kanto Plain toward Mount Fuji's snow-capped cone and the ships dotting Tokyo Bay. The left side instead shows the Pacific-facing beaches of the Boso Peninsula, which is pleasant but far less iconic.
Will your flight be in sunlight?
Pick a date and time in the Sun Map to watch the sun move across your whole flight.
About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Schiphol (AMS) to New Tokyo International (NRT)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Amsterdam to Tokyo. The right side wins on both ends of the flight, with a clear view of Amsterdam and the IJsselmeer at departure and an iconic Mount Fuji and Tokyo Bay view on arrival, while the left side's coastal and Siberian plains views are comparatively flat and repetitive.
What can I see during takeoff from Schiphol in Amsterdam?
During takeoff from Schiphol (AMS), sit on the Right side for the best views. Departing from the Polderbaan and turning onto the northeast track toward Scandinavia, the right side looks back over Amsterdam's canal-ring skyline and the broad IJsselmeer before the patchwork of Dutch polders takes over. The left side only offers the flatter, less distinctive North Sea coastline and dunes. Notable sights include: Amsterdam city center and canal ring, IJsselmeer lake, Dutch polder farmland patchwork, Zaanse windmill belt.
What can I see when landing at New Tokyo International in Tokyo?
When landing at New Tokyo International (NRT), sit on the Right side for the best views. On the descent into Narita from the north, the right side of the aircraft faces west across the Kanto Plain toward Mount Fuji's snow-capped cone and the ships dotting Tokyo Bay. The left side instead shows the Pacific-facing beaches of the Boso Peninsula, which is pleasant but far less iconic. Notable sights include: Mount Fuji, Tokyo Bay, Kanto Plain farmland mosaic, Chiba coastline.
How long is the flight from Amsterdam to Tokyo?
The flight from Schiphol (AMS) to New Tokyo International (NRT) takes about 11 hours 50 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 5,790 miles (9,318 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Amsterdam to Tokyo flight path pass over?
The great-circle track arcs north over Germany and the Baltic states before crossing western Russia, passing near the southern Ural Mountains, then over the vast taiga and steppe of central Siberia, skirting the Lake Baikal region, and finally crossing the Sea of Okhotsk and Sakhalin Island before descending toward Japan.