About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Ninoy Aquino International (MNL) to Honolulu International (HNL)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Manila to Honolulu. The Honolulu arrival on the right side delivers the most iconic and concentrated scenery of the entire flight — Diamond Head, Waikiki, and Pearl Harbor in a single approach sequence. The Manila departure left side is excellent but shorter in duration. For the full journey, securing a right-side seat gives you the better payoff at the destination.
What can I see during takeoff from Ninoy Aquino International in Manila?
During takeoff from Ninoy Aquino International (MNL), sit on the Left side for the best views. NAIA's primary departure runway 06 sends aircraft northeast over Manila Bay on the left side. You get a sweeping view of the bay, the Manila skyline, and Laguna de Bay as the aircraft climbs and turns eastward. The right side faces inland toward suburban sprawl with less visual interest. Notable sights include: Manila Bay, Laguna de Bay, Manila city skyline, Mount Banahaw on the distant horizon.
What can I see when landing at Honolulu International in Honolulu?
When landing at Honolulu International (HNL), sit on the Right side for the best views. Honolulu International typically uses runway 08R/26L or 04R/22L for arrivals from the west. Approaching from the southwest over the Pacific, the right side gives you the Diamond Head crater, Waikiki Beach, and the full Honolulu waterfront. The left side faces the Waianae Range and the less scenic industrial harbor approach. Notable sights include: Diamond Head crater, Waikiki Beach strip, Honolulu downtown waterfront, Pearl Harbor.
How long is the flight from Manila to Honolulu?
The flight from Ninoy Aquino International (MNL) to Honolulu International (HNL) takes Approximately 9 to 10 hours.
What does the Manila to Honolulu flight path pass over?
The route crosses the open North Pacific Ocean almost entirely, with no significant landmasses. The flight passes north of the Mariana Islands early in the journey and transits the International Date Line roughly 4-5 hours in. Wake Island lies well south of the typical routing and is not overflown. The dominant feature for the vast majority of the flight is the featureless deep blue Pacific, occasionally broken by isolated cloud systems and, at lower latitudes near Hawaii, the scattered Northwestern Hawaiian Islands chain far to the north of the flight path.