The left side wins on the strength of the Tokyo/Fuji departure view and, during the long polar-route cruise, its northward-facing orientation over Alaska and Canada's mountainous wilderness, while the right side spends most of the flight over open ocean and flatter terrain.
Flight Path
The great-circle path from Tokyo to Atlanta runs north over the Sea of Japan approach, across the Kamchatka Peninsula and Bering Sea, over the Gulf of Alaska and the Alaska Range, then across the Yukon and Canadian Arctic lowlands, the Hudson Bay region, and the Great Lakes before descending over the Appalachian foothills into Atlanta.
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from HND
LEFTHaneda's south-wind departure lifts off over Tokyo Bay before curving north toward the polar route, and during that turn the left side faces the city. Passengers get a sweeping look at the Yokohama and Tokyo waterfront, and on clear days Mount Fuji's snow-capped cone stands out on the southwestern horizon.
Landing at ATL
RIGHTArriving from the north on a typical west-flow approach into Atlanta, the right side of the aircraft faces the rolling green foothills of north Georgia. Passengers see wooded ridgelines and the Chattahoochee River before the plane banks over Atlanta's sprawling suburbs toward the runway.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Tokyo International (HND) to The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International (ATL)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Tokyo to Atlanta. The left side wins on the strength of the Tokyo/Fuji departure view and, during the long polar-route cruise, its northward-facing orientation over Alaska and Canada's mountainous wilderness, while the right side spends most of the flight over open ocean and flatter terrain.
What can I see during takeoff from Tokyo International in Tokyo?
During takeoff from Tokyo International (HND), sit on the Left side for the best views. Haneda's south-wind departure lifts off over Tokyo Bay before curving north toward the polar route, and during that turn the left side faces the city. Passengers get a sweeping look at the Yokohama and Tokyo waterfront, and on clear days Mount Fuji's snow-capped cone stands out on the southwestern horizon. Notable sights include: Tokyo Bay, Yokohama Minato Mirai skyline, Mount Fuji (distant), Boso Peninsula coastline.
What can I see when landing at The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International in Atlanta?
When landing at The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International (ATL), sit on the Right side for the best views. Arriving from the north on a typical west-flow approach into Atlanta, the right side of the aircraft faces the rolling green foothills of north Georgia. Passengers see wooded ridgelines and the Chattahoochee River before the plane banks over Atlanta's sprawling suburbs toward the runway. Notable sights include: Chattahoochee River, Kennesaw Mountain, north Georgia foothills, distant Atlanta downtown skyline.
How long is the flight from Tokyo to Atlanta?
The flight from Tokyo International (HND) to The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International (ATL) takes 13h 15m.
What does the Tokyo to Atlanta flight path pass over?
The great-circle path from Tokyo to Atlanta runs north over the Sea of Japan approach, across the Kamchatka Peninsula and Bering Sea, over the Gulf of Alaska and the Alaska Range, then across the Yukon and Canadian Arctic lowlands, the Hudson Bay region, and the Great Lakes before descending over the Appalachian foothills into Atlanta.