The left side pairs a genuinely dramatic, volcanic-island departure over Diamond Head and Waikiki with the same featureless nine-plus hours of North Pacific cruise as the right side, while the right side's advantage is limited to the Seoul approach; Hawaii's takeoff scenery is the single most distinctive moment of the entire flight.
Flown HNL to ICN? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Honolulu to Seoul is 4,569 miles (7,353 km), a flight of about 9 hours 50 minutes.
The route is dominated by open North Pacific water for roughly nine hours, arcing north of the direct line toward the mid-latitudes with no islands or coastlines in view; only in the final hour does land reappear as the flight descends toward the Korean peninsula over the Yellow Sea approaches to Incheon.
Great circle distance and headings ›
Phase by phase
Takeoff from HNL
LEFTHNL departures head out to the east-northeast into the trade winds, then bank left to turn onto the northwesterly great-circle track toward Korea. That left turn puts Diamond Head, Waikiki's hotel-lined beach, and Pearl Harbor right outside the left-side windows before the island falls away behind open ocean.
Landing at ICN
RIGHTArrivals into ICN commonly approach from the southeast and land heading northwest on the 33/34 runways, tracking in over the Seoul metropolitan area before turning toward Incheon. On that final leg the right side faces inland toward Seoul's skyline, the Han River, and the Bukhansan peaks, while the left side only sees the flatter Incheon tidal flats and outer islands.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Honolulu International (HNL) to Incheon International (ICN)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Honolulu to Seoul. The left side pairs a genuinely dramatic, volcanic-island departure over Diamond Head and Waikiki with the same featureless nine-plus hours of North Pacific cruise as the right side, while the right side's advantage is limited to the Seoul approach; Hawaii's takeoff scenery is the single most distinctive moment of the entire flight.
What can I see during takeoff from Honolulu International in Honolulu?
During takeoff from Honolulu International (HNL), sit on the Left side for the best views. HNL departures head out to the east-northeast into the trade winds, then bank left to turn onto the northwesterly great-circle track toward Korea. That left turn puts Diamond Head, Waikiki's hotel-lined beach, and Pearl Harbor right outside the left-side windows before the island falls away behind open ocean. Notable sights include: Diamond Head crater, Waikiki Beach, downtown Honolulu, Pearl Harbor.
What can I see when landing at Incheon International in Seoul?
When landing at Incheon International (ICN), sit on the Right side for the best views. Arrivals into ICN commonly approach from the southeast and land heading northwest on the 33/34 runways, tracking in over the Seoul metropolitan area before turning toward Incheon. On that final leg the right side faces inland toward Seoul's skyline, the Han River, and the Bukhansan peaks, while the left side only sees the flatter Incheon tidal flats and outer islands. Notable sights include: Seoul skyline, Han River, Bukhansan Mountain, Gyeonggi Province rice paddies.
How long is the flight from Honolulu to Seoul?
The flight from Honolulu International (HNL) to Incheon International (ICN) takes about 9 hours 50 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 4,569 miles (7,353 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Honolulu to Seoul flight path pass over?
The route is dominated by open North Pacific water for roughly nine hours, arcing north of the direct line toward the mid-latitudes with no islands or coastlines in view; only in the final hour does land reappear as the flight descends toward the Korean peninsula over the Yellow Sea approaches to Incheon.