The right side faces the higher-latitude excursion of the great-circle route, meaning it gets the more dramatic cruise scenery over many hours: the Canadian Arctic coast, the Alaska Range near Anchorage, and the volcanic peaks of Kamchatka. This far outweighs the left side's calmer takeoff and landing highlights, since the long cruise segment dominates total flight time.
Flown IAD to HND? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Washington to Tokyo is 6,768 miles (10,891 km), a flight of about 13 hours 50 minutes.
Hudson Bay coastline, Canadian Arctic tundra (Nunavut), Alaska Range near Anchorage, Bering Sea, Kamchatka Peninsula volcanoes, Sea of Okhotsk, Kuril Islands chain approaching northern Japan
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from IAD
LEFTDeparting IAD and climbing out toward the northwest, the left side looks west across the Piedmont toward the long ridgeline of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah Valley. The right side only offers a distant, often hazy view back toward the DC suburbs.
Landing at HND
LEFTOn the typical south-wind approach into Haneda over Tokyo Bay, the left side faces southwest toward Yokohama's harbor and, on a clear day, the snow-capped cone of Mount Fuji in the far distance. The right side mainly overlooks the flatter, industrial Chiba waterfront.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Washington Dulles International (IAD) to Tokyo International (HND)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Washington to Tokyo. The right side faces the higher-latitude excursion of the great-circle route, meaning it gets the more dramatic cruise scenery over many hours: the Canadian Arctic coast, the Alaska Range near Anchorage, and the volcanic peaks of Kamchatka. This far outweighs the left side's calmer takeoff and landing highlights, since the long cruise segment dominates total flight time.
What can I see during takeoff from Washington Dulles International in Washington?
During takeoff from Washington Dulles International (IAD), sit on the Left side for the best views. Departing IAD and climbing out toward the northwest, the left side looks west across the Piedmont toward the long ridgeline of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah Valley. The right side only offers a distant, often hazy view back toward the DC suburbs. Notable sights include: Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah Valley, Virginia Piedmont farmland, Loudoun County countryside.
What can I see when landing at Tokyo International in Tokyo?
When landing at Tokyo International (HND), sit on the Left side for the best views. On the typical south-wind approach into Haneda over Tokyo Bay, the left side faces southwest toward Yokohama's harbor and, on a clear day, the snow-capped cone of Mount Fuji in the far distance. The right side mainly overlooks the flatter, industrial Chiba waterfront. Notable sights include: Mount Fuji (distant), Yokohama harbor and skyline, Tokyo Bay, Kawasaki industrial coastline.
How long is the flight from Washington to Tokyo?
The flight from Washington Dulles International (IAD) to Tokyo International (HND) takes about 13 hours 50 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 6,768 miles (10,891 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Washington to Tokyo flight path pass over?
Hudson Bay coastline, Canadian Arctic tundra (Nunavut), Alaska Range near Anchorage, Bering Sea, Kamchatka Peninsula volcanoes, Sea of Okhotsk, Kuril Islands chain approaching northern Japan