Right side wins at both ends of the flight. The Tokyo Bay and Fuji views on departure are the most visually striking moments, and the Rio de la Plata approach on arrival is genuinely impressive. The long transoceanic middle section over the Pacific and then South America offers little from either side, so the terminal phases dominate the decision.
Flown NRT to EZE? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Tokyo to Buenos Aires is 11,369 miles (18,297 km), a flight of about 18 hours.
The great circle route arcs east across the North Pacific, passing south of the Aleutian Islands chain, then crosses the western coast of North America somewhere over northern Mexico or Central America depending on routing. The flight then crosses the Caribbean Sea, Venezuela, and the vast flat interior of Brazil — the Amazon basin — before descending over the Pampas into Buenos Aires. The Amazon crossing offers occasional views of the river's massive brown channels and forest canopy if flying in daylight, but cloud cover is frequent. The Andes are bypassed to the east on this routing.
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from NRT
RIGHTNRT departures on runway 34R/16L head roughly north or south. Southbound departures swing east over the Pacific, but the right side gives views over the Boso Peninsula and Tokyo Bay as the aircraft climbs out. You can see the dense urban sprawl of greater Tokyo across the bay to the west, and on clear days Mount Fuji appears as a distant cone roughly 100km to the southwest.
Landing at EZE
RIGHTEZE sits west of Buenos Aires and typically uses runways oriented roughly east-west. On approach from the east or northeast, the right side faces north and gives views over the Rio de la Plata's wide brown mouth and the northern suburbs of Buenos Aires. The left side faces south over flat Pampas farmland, which is less distinctive.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from New Tokyo International (NRT) to Ezeiza Ministro Pistarini (EZE)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Tokyo to Buenos Aires. Right side wins at both ends of the flight. The Tokyo Bay and Fuji views on departure are the most visually striking moments, and the Rio de la Plata approach on arrival is genuinely impressive. The long transoceanic middle section over the Pacific and then South America offers little from either side, so the terminal phases dominate the decision.
What can I see during takeoff from New Tokyo International in Tokyo?
During takeoff from New Tokyo International (NRT), sit on the Right side for the best views. NRT departures on runway 34R/16L head roughly north or south. Southbound departures swing east over the Pacific, but the right side gives views over the Boso Peninsula and Tokyo Bay as the aircraft climbs out. You can see the dense urban sprawl of greater Tokyo across the bay to the west, and on clear days Mount Fuji appears as a distant cone roughly 100km to the southwest. Notable sights include: Tokyo Bay, Boso Peninsula coastline, Mount Fuji (distant, southwest), Chiba urban grid.
What can I see when landing at Ezeiza Ministro Pistarini in Buenos Aires?
When landing at Ezeiza Ministro Pistarini (EZE), sit on the Right side for the best views. EZE sits west of Buenos Aires and typically uses runways oriented roughly east-west. On approach from the east or northeast, the right side faces north and gives views over the Rio de la Plata's wide brown mouth and the northern suburbs of Buenos Aires. The left side faces south over flat Pampas farmland, which is less distinctive. Notable sights include: Rio de la Plata estuary, Buenos Aires northern suburbs (Palermo, Belgrano districts), Parana River delta, flat Pampas grid.
How long is the flight from Tokyo to Buenos Aires?
The flight from New Tokyo International (NRT) to Ezeiza Ministro Pistarini (EZE) takes about 18 hours. The shortest flight path between them is 11,369 miles (18,297 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Tokyo to Buenos Aires flight path pass over?
The great circle route arcs east across the North Pacific, passing south of the Aleutian Islands chain, then crosses the western coast of North America somewhere over northern Mexico or Central America depending on routing. The flight then crosses the Caribbean Sea, Venezuela, and the vast flat interior of Brazil — the Amazon basin — before descending over the Pampas into Buenos Aires. The Amazon crossing offers occasional views of the river's massive brown channels and forest canopy if flying in daylight, but cloud cover is frequent. The Andes are bypassed to the east on this routing.