About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Tokyo International (HND) to Arlanda (ARN)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Tokyo to Stockholm. The right side wins overall. The Tokyo Bay departure view is genuinely spectacular and hard to beat. Over Siberia both sides are similar taiga, but the right side also picks up better views of the Ural Mountains crossing and Scandinavian lake country on descent. The Stockholm arrival left-side advantage is real but shorter in duration.
What can I see during takeoff from Tokyo International in Tokyo?
During takeoff from Tokyo International (HND), sit on the Right side for the best views. Haneda typically departs northbound or westbound on runways 16R/34L or 05/23. On a polar route departure heading northwest, the right side gives you Tokyo Bay's full expanse and then the Yokohama waterfront. The left side faces inland toward suburban sprawl. Notable sights include: Tokyo Bay, Yokohama port and harbor, the Boso Peninsula across the bay, Rainbow Bridge and the reclaimed island districts of Odaiba.
What can I see when landing at Arlanda in Stockholm?
When landing at Arlanda (ARN), sit on the Left side for the best views. Arlanda typically lands on runways 01L/19R or 08/26. On approach from the east or southeast, the left side looks south toward central Stockholm — the city sits on its archipelago islands and is clearly identifiable by the water channels cutting through the urban grid. The right side faces north toward forest and farmland. Notable sights include: Stockholm city center on its islands, Lake Malaren to the west of the city, the Stockholm Archipelago extending east into the Baltic, Gamla Stan (Old Town) island visible as a dense historic core.
How long is the flight from Tokyo to Stockholm?
The flight from Tokyo International (HND) to Arlanda (ARN) takes Approximately 11 to 12 hours.
What does the Tokyo to Stockholm flight path pass over?
The route follows a polar great circle track northwest from Tokyo, crossing the Sea of Japan, then the Russian Far East and the vast West Siberian Plain — flat taiga and river systems including the Ob and Yenisei rivers visible as broad dark ribbons through boreal forest. The Ural Mountains mark the Europe-Asia boundary as a low, broad ridge. The route then crosses Finland's lake district, a mosaic of thousands of lakes and forest, before descending into Sweden.