The left side wins on the strength of the Hawaii approach, which delivers a dramatic, unmistakable Diamond Head and Waikiki view rarely matched by the right side's more distant Pearl Harbor and Koolau perspective; the marginal takeoff-side Lake Erie glimpse adds a small additional edge.
Flight Path
Great Plains of Nebraska and Colorado, the southern Rocky Mountain front range near Denver, the Great Basin desert of Nevada, and the open Pacific Ocean for the final several hours of cruise
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from DTW
LEFTDeparting DTW on runway 22 the aircraft climbs southwest, and passengers on the left get a brief glimpse of the western Lake Erie shoreline and the patchwork farmland of southeast Michigan before the plane turns onto its westward routing. The right side sees only flat suburban Michigan with no distinguishing features.
Landing at HNL
LEFTOn the typical trade-wind approach into HNL runway 8, the aircraft flies in from the west past the south shore of Oahu, giving left-side passengers a clear view of Diamond Head crater, the Waikiki shoreline, and downtown Honolulu just before touchdown. The right side instead faces the Koolau Range and Pearl Harbor, which are visible but more distant and less dramatic on final approach.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Detroit Metro Wayne Co (DTW) to Honolulu International (HNL)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Detroit to Honolulu. The left side wins on the strength of the Hawaii approach, which delivers a dramatic, unmistakable Diamond Head and Waikiki view rarely matched by the right side's more distant Pearl Harbor and Koolau perspective; the marginal takeoff-side Lake Erie glimpse adds a small additional edge.
What can I see during takeoff from Detroit Metro Wayne Co in Detroit?
During takeoff from Detroit Metro Wayne Co (DTW), sit on the Left side for the best views. Departing DTW on runway 22 the aircraft climbs southwest, and passengers on the left get a brief glimpse of the western Lake Erie shoreline and the patchwork farmland of southeast Michigan before the plane turns onto its westward routing. The right side sees only flat suburban Michigan with no distinguishing features. Notable sights include: Western Lake Erie shoreline, Detroit River delta, southeast Michigan farmland grid.
What can I see when landing at Honolulu International in Honolulu?
When landing at Honolulu International (HNL), sit on the Left side for the best views. On the typical trade-wind approach into HNL runway 8, the aircraft flies in from the west past the south shore of Oahu, giving left-side passengers a clear view of Diamond Head crater, the Waikiki shoreline, and downtown Honolulu just before touchdown. The right side instead faces the Koolau Range and Pearl Harbor, which are visible but more distant and less dramatic on final approach. Notable sights include: Diamond Head crater, Waikiki Beach, downtown Honolulu skyline, Pacific coastline of Oahu.
How long is the flight from Detroit to Honolulu?
The flight from Detroit Metro Wayne Co (DTW) to Honolulu International (HNL) takes 9h 05m.
What does the Detroit to Honolulu flight path pass over?
Great Plains of Nebraska and Colorado, the southern Rocky Mountain front range near Denver, the Great Basin desert of Nevada, and the open Pacific Ocean for the final several hours of cruise