About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International (ATL) to New Tokyo International (NRT)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Atlanta to Tokyo. Left side delivers the better views at both ends of the flight — Atlanta's skyline and Stone Mountain on departure, and the Kanto Plain, Tokyo Bay, and a potential Mount Fuji sighting on arrival. The transpacific cruise itself is largely ocean, but the left side also faces south toward the Aleutian Islands chain during the great circle routing over the North Pacific.
What can I see during takeoff from The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International in Atlanta?
During takeoff from The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International (ATL), sit on the Left side for the best views. ATL's primary departure runways (8L/8R heading east, or 27L/27R heading west) mean left-side passengers get views over downtown Atlanta's skyline during the climbing turn northward. The aircraft typically turns north-northwest after departure, putting the city core on the left side as you climb through 5,000-10,000 feet. Notable sights include: Downtown Atlanta skyline, Stone Mountain (visible to the northeast as a granite dome rising from the piedmont), Lake Lanier reservoir to the north, Chattahoochee River corridor.
What can I see when landing at New Tokyo International in Tokyo?
When landing at New Tokyo International (NRT), sit on the Left side for the best views. On the standard approach from the east, left-side seats face west and northwest, giving views of the Kanto Plain's vast urban grid, Tokyo Bay in the middle distance, and on clear days Mount Fuji's unmistakable cone on the far horizon to the southwest — roughly 100 miles away and appearing as a small but distinct peak. Notable sights include: Mount Fuji (distant, southwest horizon on clear days), Tokyo Bay, the dense urban grid of the Kanto Plain, Chiba city and its industrial waterfront directly below on approach.
How long is the flight from Atlanta to Tokyo?
The flight from The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International (ATL) to New Tokyo International (NRT) takes Approximately 14-15 hours nonstop.
What does the Atlanta to Tokyo flight path pass over?
The great circle route from ATL to NRT arcs far north over Canada, crossing the Canadian Rockies, then the Gulf of Alaska, tracking along or near the Aleutian Islands chain (left/south side gets occasional island views in clear weather), then descending over the North Pacific toward the Japanese coast, crossing the Tohoku region of Honshu before turning south toward Narita