About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Gimpo (GMP) to Tokyo International (HND)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Seoul to Tokyo. The right side wins overall because the Seoul departure view over the Han River and city center is the most dramatic moment of the flight. Mid-flight over the Korea Strait and Sea of Japan offers little from either side. At Haneda the left side is better for landing, but the Seoul departure spectacle on the right is the highlight of the route.
What can I see during takeoff from Gimpo in Seoul?
During takeoff from Gimpo (GMP), sit on the Right side for the best views. Gimpo typically departs on runway 14R/32L or 14L/32R. On a southeastward departure toward Japan, the right side gives you a clear view over the Han River as it winds through Seoul, with Namsan and the city center visible before you cross the coast. The left side faces northwest toward less distinctive terrain. Notable sights include: Han River and its bridges through central Seoul, Namsan (N Seoul Tower hill), Incheon coastal mudflats to the west visible from banking turns, Bukhansan granite ridgeline to the north.
What can I see when landing at Tokyo International in Tokyo?
When landing at Tokyo International (HND), sit on the Left side for the best views. Haneda typically uses runways 34L/R for northward landings or 22/23 for westward approaches. On approach from the northwest over Tokyo Bay, the left side gives you the best view of central Tokyo — the bay, Rainbow Bridge, and the dense city grid including the Tokyo Tower and Shinjuku skyline. The right side looks out over the open bay or Chiba Prefecture. Notable sights include: Tokyo Bay and its reclaimed land shoreline, Rainbow Bridge and the Odaiba waterfront, Tokyo Tower visible among the dense Minato/Shinjuku urban grid, Mount Fuji on the western horizon on clear days.
How long is the flight from Seoul to Tokyo?
The flight from Gimpo (GMP) to Tokyo International (HND) takes Approximately 2 hours 10 minutes.
What does the Seoul to Tokyo flight path pass over?
The flight crosses the Korea Strait at roughly 30,000 feet, passing over or near Tsushima Island (a long narrow forested island clearly visible below on clear days), then the northern tip of Kyushu, before crossing the Kanmon Strait area and tracking northeast over the Chugoku and Kinki regions of Honshu toward Tokyo. The Inland Sea (Seto Naikai) may be visible to the south depending on exact routing.