About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Los Angeles International (LAX) to Tokyo International (HND)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Los Angeles to Tokyo. Right side wins overall. The takeoff view of the LA coastline and mountains is the more dramatic departure experience, and during the transpacific cruise the right side faces south toward the Aleutian arc and occasionally the Kamchatka Peninsula coastline depending on routing. The left side has a slight edge at landing, but the takeoff and mid-flight geography tips the balance to the right.
What can I see during takeoff from Los Angeles International in Los Angeles?
During takeoff from Los Angeles International (LAX), sit on the Right side for the best views. LAX departures on runways 24L/24R head west over the Pacific, then turn north. Right side gives you a clear look back at the Santa Monica Bay coastline, the Santa Monica Mountains, and the sprawl of the LA Basin before you climb out over the ocean. Left side faces open water almost immediately. Notable sights include: Santa Monica Bay, Santa Monica Mountains, Downtown LA skyline to the northeast, Palos Verdes Peninsula.
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 sits on reclaimed land in Tokyo Bay, and aircraft typically approach from the south or east on runways 34L/34R or 22. Left side gives you the best view of Tokyo Bay, the city of Yokohama, and the dense urban fabric of central Tokyo including the visible curve of the Sumida River and Tokyo's waterfront districts. Right side looks mostly over the bay or Chiba Prefecture. Notable sights include: Tokyo Bay, Yokohama waterfront and port, Tokyo urban grid with Sumida River, Haneda Airport reclaimed island approach.
How long is the flight from Los Angeles to Tokyo?
The flight from Los Angeles International (LAX) to Tokyo International (HND) takes Approximately 11 to 12 hours westbound.
What does the Los Angeles to Tokyo flight path pass over?
The great circle route arcs north over the Pacific, passing south of the Aleutian Islands chain, then tracking over the North Pacific with occasional views of the Kamchatka Peninsula and Kuril Islands on the right side. The final descent crosses the Japanese coast near the Boso Peninsula or Izu Peninsula depending on routing, with Sagami Bay and the Izu Peninsula visible before entering Tokyo Bay airspace. Mount Fuji may be visible on the right side during descent if routing passes to its north, appearing as a snow-capped isolated cone roughly 60 miles southwest of Tokyo.