The left side captures the flight's two genuine scenic highlights: Mount Fuji and the Izu Peninsula during departure, and the Zhoushan Islands with Hangzhou Bay during the Shanghai approach. The right side offers mostly flat suburban Tokyo and featureless delta farmland, with no comparable landmarks.
Flown NRT to PVG? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Tokyo to Shanghai is 1,116 miles (1,796 km), a flight of about 2 hours 55 minutes.
The route's midpoint lies over the open East China Sea between southern Japan and the Chinese coast, with no landmass directly beneath the aircraft at that point.
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from NRT
LEFTThe great-circle track out of Narita runs just south of Mount Fuji, putting the mountain and the Izu Peninsula's rugged coastline on the left side during climb-out. The right side mostly shows the flat Boso Peninsula and open Tokyo Bay before the coast disappears behind.
Landing at PVG
LEFTArrivals into Pudong from Japan typically cross the Zhoushan Archipelago and Hangzhou Bay before lining up on the north-south runways, giving left-side passengers a view of scattered green islands set in muddy tidal water. The right side mostly faces the flat, featureless farmland and canals of the Yangtze River Delta.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from New Tokyo International (NRT) to Shanghai Pudong International (PVG)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Tokyo to Shanghai. The left side captures the flight's two genuine scenic highlights: Mount Fuji and the Izu Peninsula during departure, and the Zhoushan Islands with Hangzhou Bay during the Shanghai approach. The right side offers mostly flat suburban Tokyo and featureless delta farmland, with no comparable landmarks.
What can I see during takeoff from New Tokyo International in Tokyo?
During takeoff from New Tokyo International (NRT), sit on the Left side for the best views. The great-circle track out of Narita runs just south of Mount Fuji, putting the mountain and the Izu Peninsula's rugged coastline on the left side during climb-out. The right side mostly shows the flat Boso Peninsula and open Tokyo Bay before the coast disappears behind. Notable sights include: Mount Fuji, Izu Peninsula, Sagami Bay, Suruga Bay coastline.
What can I see when landing at Shanghai Pudong International in Shanghai?
When landing at Shanghai Pudong International (PVG), sit on the Left side for the best views. Arrivals into Pudong from Japan typically cross the Zhoushan Archipelago and Hangzhou Bay before lining up on the north-south runways, giving left-side passengers a view of scattered green islands set in muddy tidal water. The right side mostly faces the flat, featureless farmland and canals of the Yangtze River Delta. Notable sights include: Zhoushan Archipelago, Hangzhou Bay, Yangtze River Delta coastline, East China Sea shoals.
How long is the flight from Tokyo to Shanghai?
The flight from New Tokyo International (NRT) to Shanghai Pudong International (PVG) takes about 2 hours 55 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 1,116 miles (1,796 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Tokyo to Shanghai flight path pass over?
The route's midpoint lies over the open East China Sea between southern Japan and the Chinese coast, with no landmass directly beneath the aircraft at that point.