The right side wins overall thanks to the mountainous, visually dramatic approach into Taipei, which outweighs the flat, unremarkable Midwest departure shared by both sides.
Flown DTW to TPE? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Detroit to Taipei is 7,530 miles (12,118 km), a flight of about 14 hours 40 minutes.
Route passes over northern Canada, the Alaskan coast, the Bering Sea, Kamchatka Peninsula, and the Sea of Japan before descending toward Taiwan.
Great circle distance and headings ›
Phase by phase
Takeoff from DTW
RIGHTDeparting DTW on runway 22 with a climbing turn toward the northwest polar route, the right side offers a brief glimpse of the Detroit River, Lake St. Clair, and the Windsor-Detroit urban skyline before leveling over flat farmland. The left side only shows featureless suburban sprawl and agricultural grid patterns.
Landing at TPE
RIGHTOn approach into TPE from the north, the aircraft tracks down along Taiwan's coast before turning onto final for runway 05 or 23, putting the volcanic Yangmingshan massif and the green ridgelines of the Central Mountain Range on the right side. The left side mostly faces the flatter Taipei basin and the Taiwan Strait's open water.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Detroit Metro Wayne Co (DTW) to Chiang Kai Shek International (TPE)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Detroit to Taipei. The right side wins overall thanks to the mountainous, visually dramatic approach into Taipei, which outweighs the flat, unremarkable Midwest departure shared by both sides.
What can I see during takeoff from Detroit Metro Wayne Co in Detroit?
During takeoff from Detroit Metro Wayne Co (DTW), sit on the Right side for the best views. Departing DTW on runway 22 with a climbing turn toward the northwest polar route, the right side offers a brief glimpse of the Detroit River, Lake St. Clair, and the Windsor-Detroit urban skyline before leveling over flat farmland. The left side only shows featureless suburban sprawl and agricultural grid patterns. Notable sights include: Detroit River, Lake St. Clair, Downtown Detroit skyline, Windsor Ontario shoreline.
What can I see when landing at Chiang Kai Shek International in Taipei?
When landing at Chiang Kai Shek International (TPE), sit on the Right side for the best views. On approach into TPE from the north, the aircraft tracks down along Taiwan's coast before turning onto final for runway 05 or 23, putting the volcanic Yangmingshan massif and the green ridgelines of the Central Mountain Range on the right side. The left side mostly faces the flatter Taipei basin and the Taiwan Strait's open water. Notable sights include: Yangmingshan National Park, Datun volcanic peaks, Keelung River valley, Taipei basin.
How long is the flight from Detroit to Taipei?
The flight from Detroit Metro Wayne Co (DTW) to Chiang Kai Shek International (TPE) takes about 14 hours 40 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 7,530 miles (12,118 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Detroit to Taipei flight path pass over?
Route passes over northern Canada, the Alaskan coast, the Bering Sea, Kamchatka Peninsula, and the Sea of Japan before descending toward Taiwan.