Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Tokyo to Calgary. Left side wins both ends of the flight. Over the Pacific the difference is minimal, but the left side also tracks closer to the Aleutian Islands chain during the great-circle routing and picks up the Alaska/Yukon coastal ranges during descent into Canada, making it the stronger choice throughout.

During takeoff from New Tokyo International (NRT), sit on the Left side for the best views. NRT departures on runway 34L/34R head roughly northward, placing Tokyo Bay and the urban sprawl of greater Tokyo to the left (west). You get a clear view of the bay's broad expanse and the dense city grid stretching toward Shinjuku and beyond. The right side faces the Pacific Ocean with little to see. Notable sights include: Tokyo Bay, Chiba urban grid, Tokyo city center skyline in the distance, Narita city below.

When landing at Calgary International (YYC), sit on the Left side for the best views. YYC arrivals typically use runway 35L/35R or 17, with approaches from the south or north. On a transpacific routing arriving from the northwest, the aircraft typically lines up from the west, giving the left side a direct view of the Canadian Rockies front ranges rising abruptly from the prairies. The right side faces east over flat prairie with little visual interest. Notable sights include: Canadian Rockies front ranges, Bow River valley, Calgary city grid, Banff-area peaks on the horizon.

The flight from New Tokyo International (NRT) to Calgary International (YYC) takes Approximately 10 to 11 hours.

The great-circle route arcs northeast over the North Pacific, passing south of the Aleutian Islands chain (faintly visible as dark specks in the ocean on clear days), then crosses the Gulf of Alaska and the Alaska panhandle. Over Canada the route tracks southeast over the Yukon and northern British Columbia, with the Coast Mountains and eventually the Canadian Rockies becoming visible on descent toward Calgary.