About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from John F Kennedy International (JFK) to Tokyo International (HND)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from New York to Tokyo. Left side wins at both ends of the flight. Over the Pacific the views are largely oceanic regardless of side, but the left seat delivers Manhattan on departure and the Tokyo skyline with a potential Mount Fuji sighting on arrival — two of the most iconic urban aerial views in the world.
What can I see during takeoff from John F Kennedy International in New York?
During takeoff from John F Kennedy International (JFK), sit on the Left side for the best views. JFK's primary departure runways (31L/31R) head northwest, putting Manhattan directly on the left side as the aircraft climbs out over Jamaica Bay and turns north. You get a clear view of the entire Manhattan skyline, the East River bridges, and the Hudson River. Notable sights include: Manhattan skyline, Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, Jamaica Bay, East River and its bridges.
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. HND (Haneda) sits on Tokyo Bay's western shore, and aircraft typically approach from the northeast on runway 34L/34R or from the south on 22. A left-side seat on approach from the northeast gives you Tokyo Bay on the right and the city spreading left, but on the more common southerly approach over the bay, the left side faces central Tokyo, Shibuya, Shinjuku, and on clear days Mount Fuji to the southwest. Notable sights include: Mount Fuji, Tokyo Bay, Shinjuku/Shibuya skyline, Rainbow Bridge and Tokyo waterfront.
How long is the flight from New York to Tokyo?
The flight from John F Kennedy International (JFK) to Tokyo International (HND) takes Approximately 13.5 to 14.5 hours westbound (longer due to headwinds), 12 to 13 hours eastbound.
What does the New York to Tokyo flight path pass over?
The great circle route from JFK to HND tracks northeast over New England and Nova Scotia, then crosses the North Atlantic briefly before arcing over southern Greenland or Labrador, crossing the Aleutian Island chain in Alaska (visible as a string of volcanic islands in the North Pacific), passing over the Kamchatka Peninsula with its snow-covered volcanic peaks, then descending over the Kuril Islands and the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido before reaching Honshu and Tokyo.