About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Guam International (GUM) to New Tokyo International (NRT)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Agana to Tokyo. The left side wins overall. While the right side has the better Guam departure view, the left side delivers the more dramatic arrival into Tokyo with Mount Fuji, Tokyo Bay, and the full Kanto megalopolis on approach. During the cruise over the open Pacific and past the Bonin Islands (Ogasawara), both sides are equally featureless ocean, so the arrival view tips the balance.
What can I see during takeoff from Guam International in Agana?
During takeoff from Guam International (GUM), sit on the Right side for the best views. Guam's main runway 06L/24R means northbound departures typically roll northeast, putting the right side facing southeast over the Philippine Sea and back toward Guam's southern coastline and Apra Harbor. The right side gets the full sweep of Guam's rugged southern cliffs and the harbor's distinctive shape as you climb out. Notable sights include: Apra Harbor (US Naval Base), Orote Peninsula, Cocos Island to the south, Agana Bay shoreline.
What can I see when landing at New Tokyo International in Tokyo?
When landing at New Tokyo International (NRT), sit on the Left side for the best views. Arriving at NRT from the south, aircraft typically approach on runway 34L/34R heading north, meaning the left side faces west toward central Tokyo, Tokyo Bay, and the Kanto Plain. The right side faces the Pacific Ocean and Chiba Prefecture's flat agricultural land, which is far less interesting. Notable sights include: Tokyo Bay, Mount Fuji on the western horizon, the Kanto Plain urban sprawl, Chiba city coastline.
How long is the flight from Agana to Tokyo?
The flight from Guam International (GUM) to New Tokyo International (NRT) takes Approximately 3 hours 15 minutes to 3 hours 30 minutes.
What does the Agana to Tokyo flight path pass over?
The flight tracks north-northwest over the open Philippine Sea and then the western Pacific. The Bonin Islands (Ogasawara Islands, Japanese territory) pass roughly 500 miles north of Guam and may be faintly visible on the left side if the route tracks close enough. Otherwise the mid-flight view is almost entirely open ocean with occasional cloud systems. The Izu Islands chain becomes visible on the left side during descent toward the Kanto region, appearing as a string of small volcanic islands extending south from the Izu Peninsula.