About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Ninoy Aquino International (MNL) to Tokyo International (HND)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Manila to Tokyo. The right side wins overall. The Manila Bay departure view is genuinely spectacular and hard to beat. During the cruise northward, the right side also tracks closer to the Philippine archipelago's northern islands, the Taiwan Strait, and the Ryukyu Island chain — offering more consistent land and coastal scenery than the open Pacific on the left. The Tokyo Bay arrival on the left is excellent but shorter in duration.
What can I see during takeoff from Ninoy Aquino International in Manila?
During takeoff from Ninoy Aquino International (MNL), sit on the Right side for the best views. NAIA's primary departure runway 06 sends aircraft northeast over Manila Bay on the right side, giving a sweeping view of the bay and the Manila skyline receding behind. The right side also picks up Corregidor Island and the Bataan Peninsula as the aircraft climbs out over the water. Notable sights include: Manila Bay, Corregidor Island, Bataan Peninsula, Manila city skyline.
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's primary international arrivals typically use runway 34L/34R, approaching from the south over Tokyo Bay. The left side of the aircraft faces east toward the bay and gives a clear view of the Tokyo waterfront, Rainbow Bridge, and the dense urban grid of central Tokyo before touchdown. Notable sights include: Tokyo Bay, Rainbow Bridge, Tokyo waterfront reclaimed land districts, Mount Fuji on clear days to the southwest.
How long is the flight from Manila to Tokyo?
The flight from Ninoy Aquino International (MNL) to Tokyo International (HND) takes Approximately 4 hours 15 minutes to 4 hours 45 minutes.
What does the Manila to Tokyo flight path pass over?
The flight tracks north-northeast over the South China Sea, passing the northern Luzon coast and the Babuyan Islands, then crossing the Luzon Strait. It then passes over or near the Ryukyu Islands chain (Okinawa visible on clear days), crosses the East China Sea, and approaches Japan's Kyushu and Honshu coastlines before descending into Tokyo. Taiwan's northern tip may be visible in the distance on the right side depending on exact routing.