The right side wins because the long cruise segment over western Canada and the Gulf of Alaska's coastal mountains, combined with a rare clear-day view of Mount Fuji and Tokyo Bay on descent, gives it more sustained visual interest than the left side, which is dominated by flat plains, Canadian prairie, and many hours of open Pacific with only a brief Dallas skyline glimpse at takeoff.
Flown DAL to NRT? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Dallas to Tokyo is 6,424 miles (10,338 km), a flight of about 13 hours 35 minutes.
The great-circle route bows north through Alberta/British Columbia and past the glaciated coastal mountains near the Alaska Panhandle and Gulf of Alaska before the long North Pacific crossing; near the midpoint the flight passes well south of the Aleutian Islands over open ocean, with Kamchatka's volcanic coastline appearing far to the northwest before the final leg into Japan.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from DAL
LEFTDeparting Love Field on runway 31 toward the northwest, the climb-out banks back over the city just enough for left-side windows to catch Downtown Dallas's skyline and the Trinity River before the terrain flattens into farmland. The right side only shows suburban grids fading into open plains.
Landing at NRT
RIGHTArriving from the northeast over the Pacific, the descent into Narita crosses Chiba's countryside and the edge of Tokyo Bay, and on clear afternoons Mount Fuji's snow-capped cone is visible far to the southwest from right-side windows. The left side mostly faces open ocean and the flatter Ibaraki coast with little to look at.
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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 Dallas Love Fld (DAL) to New Tokyo International (NRT)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Dallas to Tokyo. The right side wins because the long cruise segment over western Canada and the Gulf of Alaska's coastal mountains, combined with a rare clear-day view of Mount Fuji and Tokyo Bay on descent, gives it more sustained visual interest than the left side, which is dominated by flat plains, Canadian prairie, and many hours of open Pacific with only a brief Dallas skyline glimpse at takeoff.
What can I see during takeoff from Dallas Love Fld in Dallas?
During takeoff from Dallas Love Fld (DAL), sit on the Left side for the best views. Departing Love Field on runway 31 toward the northwest, the climb-out banks back over the city just enough for left-side windows to catch Downtown Dallas's skyline and the Trinity River before the terrain flattens into farmland. The right side only shows suburban grids fading into open plains. Notable sights include: Downtown Dallas skyline (Reunion Tower, Bank of America Plaza), Trinity River floodplain, surrounding suburban grid.
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. Arriving from the northeast over the Pacific, the descent into Narita crosses Chiba's countryside and the edge of Tokyo Bay, and on clear afternoons Mount Fuji's snow-capped cone is visible far to the southwest from right-side windows. The left side mostly faces open ocean and the flatter Ibaraki coast with little to look at. Notable sights include: Mount Fuji (distant silhouette), Tokyo Bay and Tokyo's western skyline, Boso Peninsula farmland, Chiba coastline.
How long is the flight from Dallas to Tokyo?
The flight from Dallas Love Fld (DAL) to New Tokyo International (NRT) takes about 13 hours 35 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 6,424 miles (10,338 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Dallas to Tokyo flight path pass over?
The great-circle route bows north through Alberta/British Columbia and past the glaciated coastal mountains near the Alaska Panhandle and Gulf of Alaska before the long North Pacific crossing; near the midpoint the flight passes well south of the Aleutian Islands over open ocean, with Kamchatka's volcanic coastline appearing far to the northwest before the final leg into Japan.