While the left seat wins at takeoff with Tokyo Bay views, the right seat delivers the more dramatic payoff on landing with the Pudong skyline and Huangpu River. Over the East China Sea cruise portion, neither side has a significant advantage, but the right side also gets slightly better views of the Chinese coastline on descent. Right seat edges it overall.
Flown NRT to SHA? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Tokyo to Shanghai is 1,140 miles (1,835 km), a flight of about 2 hours 55 minutes.
The flight crosses the East China Sea, which dominates the middle portion of the route — largely open water with occasional small island groups including the Ryukyu chain visible far to the south. The Zhoushan Archipelago and the outer islands of Zhejiang Province appear on the right side as the aircraft begins descent toward Shanghai, marking the transition from open sea to the Yangtze River delta coastline.
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from NRT
LEFTNRT's primary departure runways (34L/34R) head roughly northward, meaning a left-seat passenger faces west toward Tokyo Bay and the Kanto Plain. You get a clear view of Tokyo Bay's broad expanse and the city sprawl as the aircraft banks southwest toward Shanghai. The right side faces inland toward Chiba's flat agricultural land, which is far less interesting.
Landing at SHA
RIGHTHongqiao typically uses runways 18L/18R or 36L/36R depending on wind. On the common southward approach (runway 18), aircraft track over the Yangtze River delta from the north, and the right side gives you the best view of the Huangpu River snaking through central Shanghai and the Pudong skyline including the Oriental Pearl Tower and Shanghai Tower. The left side faces west toward flat suburban sprawl.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from New Tokyo International (NRT) to Hongqiao International (SHA)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Tokyo to Shanghai. While the left seat wins at takeoff with Tokyo Bay views, the right seat delivers the more dramatic payoff on landing with the Pudong skyline and Huangpu River. Over the East China Sea cruise portion, neither side has a significant advantage, but the right side also gets slightly better views of the Chinese coastline on descent. Right seat edges it overall.
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. NRT's primary departure runways (34L/34R) head roughly northward, meaning a left-seat passenger faces west toward Tokyo Bay and the Kanto Plain. You get a clear view of Tokyo Bay's broad expanse and the city sprawl as the aircraft banks southwest toward Shanghai. The right side faces inland toward Chiba's flat agricultural land, which is far less interesting. Notable sights include: Tokyo Bay, the Tokyo metropolitan skyline to the northwest, Chiba coastal lowlands, and the Boso Peninsula coastline.
What can I see when landing at Hongqiao International in Shanghai?
When landing at Hongqiao International (SHA), sit on the Right side for the best views. Hongqiao typically uses runways 18L/18R or 36L/36R depending on wind. On the common southward approach (runway 18), aircraft track over the Yangtze River delta from the north, and the right side gives you the best view of the Huangpu River snaking through central Shanghai and the Pudong skyline including the Oriental Pearl Tower and Shanghai Tower. The left side faces west toward flat suburban sprawl. Notable sights include: Huangpu River, Pudong skyline (Shanghai Tower, Oriental Pearl Tower), Suzhou Creek confluence, and the dense urban grid of Puxi district.
How long is the flight from Tokyo to Shanghai?
The flight from New Tokyo International (NRT) to Hongqiao International (SHA) takes about 2 hours 55 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 1,140 miles (1,835 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Tokyo to Shanghai flight path pass over?
The flight crosses the East China Sea, which dominates the middle portion of the route — largely open water with occasional small island groups including the Ryukyu chain visible far to the south. The Zhoushan Archipelago and the outer islands of Zhejiang Province appear on the right side as the aircraft begins descent toward Shanghai, marking the transition from open sea to the Yangtze River delta coastline.