The left side wins because it captures the two most visually distinct moments of the flight—Mt. Fuji during departure and the St. Lawrence River/Laurentian foothills during arrival—while the long cruise over Siberia, the Bering Sea, and the Canadian Arctic favors the north-facing (left) side with occasional views of Kamchatka's volcanic peaks and Hudson Bay's icy coastline.
Flown HND to YUL? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Tokyo to Montreal is 6,461 miles (10,398 km), a flight of about 12 hours 35 minutes.
Sea of Okhotsk, Kamchatka Peninsula volcanoes, Bering Sea, Alaskan coastal ranges, Hudson Bay, Canadian Arctic tundra
Great circle distance and headings ›Phase by phase
Takeoff from HND
LEFTDeparting HND over Tokyo Bay, the aircraft typically banks northwest before settling onto its great-circle track, giving left-side passengers a view back across the bay toward Yokohama and, on clear days, the unmistakable cone of Mt. Fuji rising on the horizon to the southwest. The right side mostly shows open bay and featureless Pacific haze.
Landing at YUL
LEFTOn the typical approach into YUL using runway 24, aircraft descend from the northeast over the St. Lawrence River lowlands, and left-side passengers get a good look at the river's broad channel, the island of Montreal, and the low, rounded profile of the Laurentian foothills to the north before touchdown. The right side faces mostly open farmland with fewer distinct features.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Tokyo International (HND) to Montreal International Dorval (YUL)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Tokyo to Montreal. The left side wins because it captures the two most visually distinct moments of the flight—Mt. Fuji during departure and the St. Lawrence River/Laurentian foothills during arrival—while the long cruise over Siberia, the Bering Sea, and the Canadian Arctic favors the north-facing (left) side with occasional views of Kamchatka's volcanic peaks and Hudson Bay's icy coastline.
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. Departing HND over Tokyo Bay, the aircraft typically banks northwest before settling onto its great-circle track, giving left-side passengers a view back across the bay toward Yokohama and, on clear days, the unmistakable cone of Mt. Fuji rising on the horizon to the southwest. The right side mostly shows open bay and featureless Pacific haze. Notable sights include: Tokyo Bay, Yokohama waterfront, Mt. Fuji, Izu Peninsula coastline.
What can I see when landing at Montreal International Dorval in Montreal?
When landing at Montreal International Dorval (YUL), sit on the Left side for the best views. On the typical approach into YUL using runway 24, aircraft descend from the northeast over the St. Lawrence River lowlands, and left-side passengers get a good look at the river's broad channel, the island of Montreal, and the low, rounded profile of the Laurentian foothills to the north before touchdown. The right side faces mostly open farmland with fewer distinct features. Notable sights include: St. Lawrence River, Island of Montreal, Laurentian foothills, Lac Saint-Louis.
How long is the flight from Tokyo to Montreal?
The flight from Tokyo International (HND) to Montreal International Dorval (YUL) takes about 12 hours 35 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 6,461 miles (10,398 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Tokyo to Montreal flight path pass over?
Sea of Okhotsk, Kamchatka Peninsula volcanoes, Bering Sea, Alaskan coastal ranges, Hudson Bay, Canadian Arctic tundra