About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from New Tokyo International (NRT) to Zurich (ZRH)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Tokyo to Zurich. The right side delivers the single most dramatic moment of the flight: Mount Fuji on departure. While the left side at Zurich offers the Alps and Lake Zurich on landing, Fuji is a rarer and more iconic sight. Over Siberia and Central Asia the views are largely symmetrical tundra and steppe, so the departure experience tips the balance to the right.
What can I see during takeoff from New Tokyo International in Tokyo?
During takeoff from New Tokyo International (NRT), sit on the Right side for the best views. NRT typically departs on runway 34L/34R heading northwest, which puts Mount Fuji on the right (west) side during the initial climb and turn. Fuji is unmistakable at around 12,388 ft and visible from well over 100 miles on a clear day. Tokyo Bay and the urban sprawl of greater Tokyo also appear on the right as the aircraft banks westward. Notable sights include: Mount Fuji (southwest), Tokyo Bay, greater Tokyo metropolitan grid, Chiba coastal lowlands.
What can I see when landing at Zurich in Zurich?
When landing at Zurich (ZRH), sit on the Left side for the best views. ZRH typically lands on runway 14 or 28; on runway 14 approach from the north, the left side faces west toward the Alps including the Bernese Oberland and the distinctive peaks of Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau visible on the southern horizon. Lake Zurich and the city center also appear on the left during final approach. On runway 28 approaches from the east, the left side still captures Lake Zurich and the city. Notable sights include: Lake Zurich, Zurich city center, Bernese Alps on southern horizon (Eiger/Jungfrau range), Lake Greifen.
How long is the flight from Tokyo to Zurich?
The flight from New Tokyo International (NRT) to Zurich (ZRH) takes Approximately 13 to 14 hours.
What does the Tokyo to Zurich flight path pass over?
The route tracks northwest over the Sea of Japan, then across Siberia over Novosibirsk and the West Siberian Plain, crossing the Ural Mountains (a subtle low ridge visible from altitude), then over Russia and Ukraine or Belarus depending on routing, before descending across Germany and into Switzerland. Siberian river systems including the Ob and Irtysh are visible as broad meandering ribbons across flat taiga. The Urals appear as a gentle wrinkle on the landscape rather than dramatic peaks. Central European farmland becomes increasingly visible on descent.