Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Manila to Taipei. The right side wins overall because the departure view over Laguna de Bay and the Sierra Madre is genuinely spectacular and unique to this route, and during the cruise the right side also faces east toward the Philippine Sea and the Luzon coastline during the early portion of the flight. The left-side landing advantage at TPE is real but shorter in duration than the extended departure scenery on the right.

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 left, but the right side captures Metro Manila's dense urban sprawl, Laguna de Bay (one of Southeast Asia's largest lakes), and the Sierra Madre mountain range rising to the east. The right side gives you the full geographic context of Luzon's populated core. Notable sights include: Laguna de Bay, Sierra Madre mountain range, Pasig River corridor through Metro Manila, Mount Banahaw on the distant southeastern horizon.

When landing at Chiang Kai Shek International (TPE), sit on the Left side for the best views. TPE's primary arrival runway 05L/06 brings aircraft in from the southwest over the Taiwan Strait, and the left side faces south toward Taipei Basin and the Central Mountain Range. You get a clear view of the Taipei cityscape, Taipei 101 as a distinct vertical spike, and the dramatic green ridgelines of Yangmingshan National Park just north of the city. Notable sights include: Taipei 101 tower, Taipei Basin urban grid, Yangmingshan volcanic highlands, Danshui River estuary.

The flight from Ninoy Aquino International (MNL) to Chiang Kai Shek International (TPE) takes Approximately 2 hours 20 minutes to 2 hours 40 minutes.

The flight tracks north-northeast over the Luzon Strait between the Philippines and Taiwan, crossing open South China Sea and Philippine Sea waters. The Babuyan Islands (a volcanic island chain north of Luzon) may be visible on the right side roughly 30-40 minutes after departure as small dark specks in the ocean. The Bashi Channel, the northern passage of the Luzon Strait, is crossed at cruise altitude with no land visible. As the aircraft descends toward Taiwan, the southern tip of Taiwan and the Hengchun Peninsula may appear on the right side before the left-side Taipei Basin view opens up on approach.