The left side wins at both ends of the flight. At departure it captures the full Hong Kong urban and island panorama, and at arrival it faces the Boston skyline and harbour. The transpacific cruise over the North Pacific and Alaska offers occasional views of sea ice, the Aleutian Islands chain, and the Canadian Rockies on both sides, but the terminal phases strongly favor left.
Flown HKG to BOS? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Hong Kong to Boston is 7,957 miles (12,806 km), a flight of about 16 hours 30 minutes.
The great circle route tracks northeast over the South China Sea, then across the East China Sea near Japan's Ryukyu Islands, over the North Pacific Ocean, the Aleutian Islands arc (visible as a chain of volcanic peaks on clear days), the Gulf of Alaska, coastal British Columbia and the Canadian Rockies, then across central Canada and the northeastern United States. At cruise altitude the Aleutian volcanoes and the snow-covered Rockies are the most visually distinctive features; the long North Pacific crossing is largely open ocean.
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from HKG
LEFTHKG departures heading east on runway 07R/07L give the left (north) side a direct view over Lantau Island, the Tsing Ma Bridge, and the dense urban skyline of Kowloon and Hong Kong Island. The right side faces south toward open water and the relatively featureless Lamma Channel.
Landing at BOS
LEFTLogan Airport sits on a peninsula in Boston Harbour, and aircraft typically approach from the southwest or west on runway 04R/04L or 22L/22R. A left-side seat on approach from the west gives a clear view over the Charles River, the Back Bay and downtown Boston skyline, and the harbour islands. The right side faces north toward the suburban sprawl of East Boston and Revere with little of interest.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Hong Kong International (HKG) to General Edward Lawrence Logan International (BOS)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Hong Kong to Boston. The left side wins at both ends of the flight. At departure it captures the full Hong Kong urban and island panorama, and at arrival it faces the Boston skyline and harbour. The transpacific cruise over the North Pacific and Alaska offers occasional views of sea ice, the Aleutian Islands chain, and the Canadian Rockies on both sides, but the terminal phases strongly favor left.
What can I see during takeoff from Hong Kong International in Hong Kong?
During takeoff from Hong Kong International (HKG), sit on the Left side for the best views. HKG departures heading east on runway 07R/07L give the left (north) side a direct view over Lantau Island, the Tsing Ma Bridge, and the dense urban skyline of Kowloon and Hong Kong Island. The right side faces south toward open water and the relatively featureless Lamma Channel. Notable sights include: Tsing Ma Bridge suspension span, Kowloon urban grid and Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong Island skyline with Victoria Peak, Lantau Peak rising to 3,064 ft.
What can I see when landing at General Edward Lawrence Logan International in Boston?
When landing at General Edward Lawrence Logan International (BOS), sit on the Left side for the best views. Logan Airport sits on a peninsula in Boston Harbour, and aircraft typically approach from the southwest or west on runway 04R/04L or 22L/22R. A left-side seat on approach from the west gives a clear view over the Charles River, the Back Bay and downtown Boston skyline, and the harbour islands. The right side faces north toward the suburban sprawl of East Boston and Revere with little of interest. Notable sights include: Downtown Boston skyline and Back Bay, Charles River and Cambridge/MIT campus, Boston Harbour islands, Fenway Park (visible as a distinctive green diamond).
How long is the flight from Hong Kong to Boston?
The flight from Hong Kong International (HKG) to General Edward Lawrence Logan International (BOS) takes about 16 hours 30 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 7,957 miles (12,806 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Hong Kong to Boston flight path pass over?
The great circle route tracks northeast over the South China Sea, then across the East China Sea near Japan's Ryukyu Islands, over the North Pacific Ocean, the Aleutian Islands arc (visible as a chain of volcanic peaks on clear days), the Gulf of Alaska, coastal British Columbia and the Canadian Rockies, then across central Canada and the northeastern United States. At cruise altitude the Aleutian volcanoes and the snow-covered Rockies are the most visually distinctive features; the long North Pacific crossing is largely open ocean.