The left side wins overall because the departure showcases Lake Superior's dramatic shoreline, and the long cruise phase over the high-latitude great-circle route crosses genuinely varied terrain — Canadian tundra, the Ural foothills, and the Siberian taiga — visible predominantly on the northern (left) side of the aircraft during the outbound leg, giving it more sustained visual interest than the ocean-and-farmland-heavy right side.
Flown CMX to BKK? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Hancock to Bangkok is 8,194 miles (13,187 km), a flight of about 16 hours 45 minutes.
Hudson Bay lowlands, the Ural Mountains foothills, the West Siberian Plain, Lake Baikal region, and the Gobi Desert along the great-circle path before descending toward the Mekong basin and Bangkok.
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from CMX
LEFTDeparting Houghton on Runway 14, the climb-out banks toward the northwest polar routing, putting Lake Superior's open water and the wooded, snow-dusted Keweenaw Peninsula shoreline on the left side of the aircraft. It's a striking, uncommon look at this remote Upper Peninsula coastline before the long overland leg begins.
Landing at BKK
RIGHTOn approach to Suvarnabhumi's north-south runways during a typical northeast monsoon arrival, the aircraft descends from the north with a slight easterly offset, putting the sprawling Bangkok skyline, the winding Chao Phraya River, and the dense urban grid on the right side of the cabin.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Houghton County Memorial Airport (CMX) to Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Hancock to Bangkok. The left side wins overall because the departure showcases Lake Superior's dramatic shoreline, and the long cruise phase over the high-latitude great-circle route crosses genuinely varied terrain — Canadian tundra, the Ural foothills, and the Siberian taiga — visible predominantly on the northern (left) side of the aircraft during the outbound leg, giving it more sustained visual interest than the ocean-and-farmland-heavy right side.
What can I see during takeoff from Houghton County Memorial Airport in Hancock?
During takeoff from Houghton County Memorial Airport (CMX), sit on the Left side for the best views. Departing Houghton on Runway 14, the climb-out banks toward the northwest polar routing, putting Lake Superior's open water and the wooded, snow-dusted Keweenaw Peninsula shoreline on the left side of the aircraft. It's a striking, uncommon look at this remote Upper Peninsula coastline before the long overland leg begins. Notable sights include: Keweenaw Peninsula, Lake Superior shoreline, Portage Canal, Houghton/Hancock twin towns.
What can I see when landing at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok?
When landing at Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), sit on the Right side for the best views. On approach to Suvarnabhumi's north-south runways during a typical northeast monsoon arrival, the aircraft descends from the north with a slight easterly offset, putting the sprawling Bangkok skyline, the winding Chao Phraya River, and the dense urban grid on the right side of the cabin. Notable sights include: Chao Phraya River, Bangkok skyline and skyscrapers, Chao Phraya delta canals, Gulf of Thailand haze on the horizon.
How long is the flight from Hancock to Bangkok?
The flight from Houghton County Memorial Airport (CMX) to Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) takes about 16 hours 45 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 8,194 miles (13,187 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Hancock to Bangkok flight path pass over?
Hudson Bay lowlands, the Ural Mountains foothills, the West Siberian Plain, Lake Baikal region, and the Gobi Desert along the great-circle path before descending toward the Mekong basin and Bangkok.