Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Tokyo to Los Angeles. The left seat wins overall due to the spectacular Mount Fuji view on departure, which is one of the most iconic aerial sightings on any transpacific route. The landing advantage on the right is real but less dramatic. Left also gives views of the Aleutian Islands chain and the Alaska coastline during the great circle routing.

During takeoff from New Tokyo International (NRT), sit on the Left side for the best views. NRT typically departs on runways 16L/16R heading south, then aircraft turn northeast over the Pacific. A left/window seat facing east gives you a clear view back over the Kanto Plain and Tokyo Bay as you climb out. Mount Fuji appears to the southwest and is best framed from the left side during the initial climb and turn. Notable sights include: Tokyo Bay, Mount Fuji (southwest, ~100km distant), Kanto Plain urban sprawl, Boso Peninsula coastline.

When landing at Los Angeles International (LAX), sit on the Right side for the best views. LAX typically lands on runways 24L/24R heading west, approaching from the east over the Los Angeles Basin. A right/window seat gives you the view to the north, showing the Santa Monica Mountains, the San Fernando Valley, and the Hollywood Hills as you descend. The left side faces south toward less distinctive suburban sprawl. Notable sights include: Santa Monica Mountains, Hollywood Hills and Griffith Observatory area, San Fernando Valley, Santa Monica Bay coastline.

The flight from New Tokyo International (NRT) to Los Angeles International (LAX) takes Approximately 10 to 11 hours westbound, 9 to 10 hours eastbound (NRT to LAX is eastbound, so roughly 9.5 hours).

The great circle route arcs northeast over the North Pacific, passing south of the Aleutian Islands chain (Alaska), crossing the Gulf of Alaska, then descending along the US West Coast. Key features include the volcanic peaks of the Aleutian arc visible on clear days, the vast featureless North Pacific Ocean for the bulk of the flight, occasional glimpses of the Alaska Peninsula coastline, and the Sierra Nevada range visible during descent into California.