The left side delivers the most dramatic single moment of the flight: Mount Fuji and Tokyo Bay on departure are genuinely spectacular and hard to beat. The Vienna arrival on the right is good but relatively modest. For the long overland cruise across Siberia and Central Asia, neither side has a decisive advantage, but the departure experience tips the balance to the left.
Flown NRT to VIE? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Tokyo to Vienna is 5,688 miles (9,154 km), a flight of about 13 hours 30 minutes.
The route tracks northwest from Tokyo across the Sea of Japan, then over the Russian Far East and across Siberia — vast taiga and river systems including the Ob and Yenisei rivers visible as enormous braided channels cutting through boreal forest. Over western Siberia the terrain flattens into endless wetlands. The route then crosses the Ural Mountains (a low, broad ridge visible as a subtle change in terrain texture), descends over the North European Plain through Ukraine or Poland depending on routing, and approaches Vienna from the northeast across the Pannonian Plain.
Great circle distance and headings ›
Phase by phase
Takeoff from NRT
LEFTNRT primarily uses runways 16/34, so northbound departures on runway 34 climb out over the Chiba Peninsula and Tokyo Bay. The left side faces west toward central Tokyo, giving a clear view of the city skyline, Tokyo Bay, and on clear days Mount Fuji rising prominently to the southwest. Right side faces east over the Pacific with little to see.
Landing at VIE
RIGHTVIE uses runway 11/29 and 16/34. Westbound arrivals typically land on runway 11 or 16, approaching from the east or northeast. The right side faces south toward the Vienna city center, the Danube River, and the Vienna Woods (Wienerwald) rising to the west. Left side faces north over flat Marchfeld agricultural plains with little visual interest.
Will your flight be in sunlight?
Pick a date and time in the Sun Map to watch the sun move across your whole flight.
About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from New Tokyo International (NRT) to Schwechat (VIE)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Tokyo to Vienna. The left side delivers the most dramatic single moment of the flight: Mount Fuji and Tokyo Bay on departure are genuinely spectacular and hard to beat. The Vienna arrival on the right is good but relatively modest. For the long overland cruise across Siberia and Central Asia, neither side has a decisive advantage, but the departure experience tips the balance to the left.
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 primarily uses runways 16/34, so northbound departures on runway 34 climb out over the Chiba Peninsula and Tokyo Bay. The left side faces west toward central Tokyo, giving a clear view of the city skyline, Tokyo Bay, and on clear days Mount Fuji rising prominently to the southwest. Right side faces east over the Pacific with little to see. Notable sights include: Mount Fuji (southwest, ~100km), Tokyo Bay and its crossing bridges, central Tokyo urban grid including the Imperial Palace grounds, Chiba coastal lowlands below.
What can I see when landing at Schwechat in Vienna?
When landing at Schwechat (VIE), sit on the Right side for the best views. VIE uses runway 11/29 and 16/34. Westbound arrivals typically land on runway 11 or 16, approaching from the east or northeast. The right side faces south toward the Vienna city center, the Danube River, and the Vienna Woods (Wienerwald) rising to the west. Left side faces north over flat Marchfeld agricultural plains with little visual interest. Notable sights include: Vienna city center and Ringstrasse, Danube River and Danube Canal, Wienerwald (Vienna Woods) hills to the west, Bratislava visible to the northeast on clear days.
How long is the flight from Tokyo to Vienna?
The flight from New Tokyo International (NRT) to Schwechat (VIE) takes about 13 hours 30 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 5,688 miles (9,154 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Tokyo to Vienna flight path pass over?
The route tracks northwest from Tokyo across the Sea of Japan, then over the Russian Far East and across Siberia — vast taiga and river systems including the Ob and Yenisei rivers visible as enormous braided channels cutting through boreal forest. Over western Siberia the terrain flattens into endless wetlands. The route then crosses the Ural Mountains (a low, broad ridge visible as a subtle change in terrain texture), descends over the North European Plain through Ukraine or Poland depending on routing, and approaches Vienna from the northeast across the Pannonian Plain.