The left side wins narrowly because it pairs Tokyo Bay and a possible Mount Fuji glimpse at departure with better-angled views of Alaska's coastal mountains, Canada's Arctic tundra, and Greenland's ice sheet during the long polar cruise now used to avoid Russian airspace. The right side's Frankfurt skyline bonus at landing is real but more modest in comparison.
Flown HND to FRA? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Tokyo to Frankfurt is 5,818 miles (9,363 km), a flight of about 11 hours 20 minutes.
Current routing avoids Russian airspace, arcing north over the Pacific past the Alaska Range near Anchorage, across Canada's Arctic tundra and the Hudson Bay region, over Greenland's ice sheet and southern coastal fjords, then south past Iceland and across the North Sea before descending into Germany.
Great circle distance and headings ›
Phase by phase
Takeoff from HND
LEFTClimbing out of Haneda on the left side, passengers get Tokyo Bay, the dense Tokyo/Yokohama skyline, and on clear days a distant silhouette of Mount Fuji to the southwest. The right side over Chiba shows mostly flat industrial coastline and open Pacific water.
Landing at FRA
RIGHTOn final approach into Frankfurt heading west, the right side overlooks the city's compact high-rise cluster along the Main River and the wooded Taunus ridge in the distance. The left side mostly shows flat farmland south of the airport.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Tokyo International (HND) to Frankfurt Main (FRA)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Tokyo to Frankfurt. The left side wins narrowly because it pairs Tokyo Bay and a possible Mount Fuji glimpse at departure with better-angled views of Alaska's coastal mountains, Canada's Arctic tundra, and Greenland's ice sheet during the long polar cruise now used to avoid Russian airspace. The right side's Frankfurt skyline bonus at landing is real but more modest in comparison.
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. Climbing out of Haneda on the left side, passengers get Tokyo Bay, the dense Tokyo/Yokohama skyline, and on clear days a distant silhouette of Mount Fuji to the southwest. The right side over Chiba shows mostly flat industrial coastline and open Pacific water. Notable sights include: Tokyo Bay, Tokyo/Yokohama skyline, Mount Fuji (distant, clear days), Boso Peninsula coastline.
What can I see when landing at Frankfurt Main in Frankfurt?
When landing at Frankfurt Main (FRA), sit on the Right side for the best views. On final approach into Frankfurt heading west, the right side overlooks the city's compact high-rise cluster along the Main River and the wooded Taunus ridge in the distance. The left side mostly shows flat farmland south of the airport. Notable sights include: Frankfurt skyline ('Mainhattan'), Main River bend, Taunus hills, Rhine-Main plain.
How long is the flight from Tokyo to Frankfurt?
The flight from Tokyo International (HND) to Frankfurt Main (FRA) takes about 11 hours 20 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 5,818 miles (9,363 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Tokyo to Frankfurt flight path pass over?
Current routing avoids Russian airspace, arcing north over the Pacific past the Alaska Range near Anchorage, across Canada's Arctic tundra and the Hudson Bay region, over Greenland's ice sheet and southern coastal fjords, then south past Iceland and across the North Sea before descending into Germany.