About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Boeing Fld King Co International (BFI) to New Tokyo International (NRT)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Seattle to Tokyo. Left side wins both departure and arrival. During the transpacific cruise at 35,000 feet over open ocean there is little to differentiate sides, but the left seat delivers the best views at both ends of the flight where geography actually matters.
What can I see during takeoff from Boeing Fld King Co International in Seattle?
During takeoff from Boeing Fld King Co International (BFI), sit on the Left side for the best views. BFI's primary departure runway is 13R/31L. Departing on runway 13 (southeast), a left-side seat faces northeast toward Lake Washington and the Cascade Range. You get a clear view of the lake immediately below and Mount Rainier to the southeast as the aircraft banks north toward the Pacific routing. Notable sights include: Lake Washington directly below, Mount Rainier to the southeast, the Seattle city grid and Elliott Bay to the west, the Cascade Range foothills to the east.
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. NRT's primary arrival runways are 16L/16R (southbound approach) or 34L/34R (northbound). On the common southbound approach to runway 16, a left-side seat faces east over the Pacific coastal plain of Chiba Prefecture, giving views of Tokyo Bay and the dense urban grid of greater Tokyo spreading to the west. The right side faces open farmland and the Pacific Ocean. Notable sights include: Tokyo Bay to the west, the dense urban grid of central Tokyo and Chiba city, the Chiba coastal industrial waterfront, and on clear days Mount Fuji far to the southwest.
How long is the flight from Seattle to Tokyo?
The flight from Boeing Fld King Co International (BFI) to New Tokyo International (NRT) takes Approximately 10 to 11 hours westbound.
What does the Seattle to Tokyo flight path pass over?
The great circle route from BFI to NRT tracks northwest over British Columbia and the Gulf of Alaska before arcing southwest across the North Pacific. Visible features include the Alaska Peninsula and Aleutian Islands chain — a string of volcanic islands visible on clear days — followed by roughly 4,000 miles of open North Pacific Ocean. The Kuril Islands may be visible on approach to Japan, and the rugged coastline of Hokkaido appears before descending toward Honshu and the Kanto Plain.