Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Sapporo to Taipei. While takeoff favors the right, the landing approach into Taipei is significantly more dramatic and visually rewarding from the left. The combination of the Taiwan Strait, Keelung's harbor, and Yangmingshan's volcanic topography outweighs the takeoff advantage. Left-side passengers get the superior experience on this route.

During takeoff from Chitose International Airport (CTS), sit on the Right side for the best views. CTS typically departs to the east or northeast. Right-side seats offer views of Ishikari Bay and the coastal plains stretching toward the Pacific, plus the Yubari Mountains rising inland to the southeast. Left side faces the urban sprawl of Sapporo and inland terrain with less dramatic relief. Notable sights include: Ishikari Bay (immediate offshore), Yubari Mountains (southeast, ~40 km distant), Sapporo urban grid (west/southwest), Pacific coastline trending north.

When landing at Chiang Kai Shek International (TPE), sit on the Left side for the best views. Taipei's main runways (09L/27R and 09R/27L) typically handle arrivals from the north or northwest. Left-side seats descending into TPE offer views of the Taiwan Strait, the northern coast of Taiwan with Keelung's harbor, and the Yangmingshan volcanic plateau rising dramatically behind the airport. Right side faces inland terrain with less distinctive features. Notable sights include: Taiwan Strait (north, separating Taiwan from mainland China ~130 km away), Keelung Harbor and port city (northeast), Yangmingshan volcanic plateau (south/southwest of airport, ~1,000 m elevation), Taipei Basin urban sprawl (inland/south).

The flight from Chitose International Airport (CTS) to Chiang Kai Shek International (TPE) takes Approximately 3 hours 15 minutes to 3 hours 45 minutes.

The flight path crosses the East China Sea at roughly 30°N latitude. At cruise altitude (33,000-35,000 feet), passengers may glimpse the Oki Islands (Japan) receding to the northwest around 90 minutes into flight, and the Ryukyu Islands chain (Okinawa region) appearing to the southwest around 2 hours 15 minutes into flight. The sea below remains largely featureless at altitude, though weather systems and cloud formations often dominate the view. No major landmasses are visible during the midpoint cruise phase.