The great-circle route from DFW to PVG arcs north through Canada and Alaska before curving down through the Russian Far East, and this northern bulge stays on the right side of the aircraft for most of the flight, putting the Canadian Rockies' foothills, the Alaska Range, Bering Sea ice, and Kamchatka's volcanic peaks in view, finishing with a strong landing sequence over the Yangtze Delta and Shanghai — far more varied than the plains-and-open-ocean views on the left.
Flown DFW to PVG? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Dallas-Fort Worth to Shanghai is 7,337 miles (11,808 km), a flight of about 15 hours 40 minutes.
Bering Sea ice fields, the volcanic peaks of Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, and the Sea of Okhotsk near Sakhalin Island
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from DFW
LEFTNorth Texas is flat farmland regardless of side, but the initial northbound climb out of DFW puts Fort Worth's low skyline and the lakes northwest of the airport in view on the left, giving it a slight edge over the featureless suburban sprawl on the right.
Landing at PVG
RIGHTOn approach into PVG from the north, the right side looks out over the Yangtze River delta, Hangzhou Bay's coastline, and the dense Pudong skyline rising out of the flat delta farmland, while the left side mostly faces open water and suburban haze.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Dallas Fort Worth International (DFW) to Shanghai Pudong International (PVG)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Dallas-Fort Worth to Shanghai. The great-circle route from DFW to PVG arcs north through Canada and Alaska before curving down through the Russian Far East, and this northern bulge stays on the right side of the aircraft for most of the flight, putting the Canadian Rockies' foothills, the Alaska Range, Bering Sea ice, and Kamchatka's volcanic peaks in view, finishing with a strong landing sequence over the Yangtze Delta and Shanghai — far more varied than the plains-and-open-ocean views on the left.
What can I see during takeoff from Dallas Fort Worth International in Dallas-Fort Worth?
During takeoff from Dallas Fort Worth International (DFW), sit on the Left side for the best views. North Texas is flat farmland regardless of side, but the initial northbound climb out of DFW puts Fort Worth's low skyline and the lakes northwest of the airport in view on the left, giving it a slight edge over the featureless suburban sprawl on the right. Notable sights include: Fort Worth skyline, Lake Grapevine, Trinity River bottomlands.
What can I see when landing at Shanghai Pudong International in Shanghai?
When landing at Shanghai Pudong International (PVG), sit on the Right side for the best views. On approach into PVG from the north, the right side looks out over the Yangtze River delta, Hangzhou Bay's coastline, and the dense Pudong skyline rising out of the flat delta farmland, while the left side mostly faces open water and suburban haze. Notable sights include: Yangtze River mouth/Chongming Island, Hangzhou Bay coastline, Shanghai Pudong skyline, East China Sea shoreline.
How long is the flight from Dallas-Fort Worth to Shanghai?
The flight from Dallas Fort Worth International (DFW) to Shanghai Pudong International (PVG) takes about 15 hours 40 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 7,337 miles (11,808 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Dallas-Fort Worth to Shanghai flight path pass over?
Bering Sea ice fields, the volcanic peaks of Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, and the Sea of Okhotsk near Sakhalin Island