Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Portland to Tokyo. Left side wins both the departure and arrival phases. Over the Pacific the difference is minimal since both sides show open ocean, but the left side also tracks slightly closer to the Aleutian Islands arc during the great circle routing, where on very clear days volcanic island peaks may be visible on the horizon.

During takeoff from Portland International (PDX), sit on the Left side for the best views. PDX primarily uses runways 10L/10R for eastward departures or 28L/28R for westward departures. On the common westbound departure (runway 28), a left-side seat faces south and gives you Mount Hood directly ahead and slightly left during the climbing turn, plus the Columbia River gorge. On eastbound departures, left side still captures the Portland metro grid and the Willamette River below. Notable sights include: Mount Hood (11,249 ft, southeast of airport), Columbia River and its gorge to the east, Willamette River winding through Portland, Mount St. Helens visible to the north on clear days.

When landing at New Tokyo International (NRT), sit on the Left side for the best views. NRT sits northeast of Tokyo. Arrivals typically come from the north or east on runway 34L/34R or 16L/16R. On a transpacific arrival from the northeast, left-side seats face west toward Tokyo Bay and the Tokyo metropolitan area, including the bay's distinctive geometry and the urban density of central Tokyo. Right side faces the Pacific Ocean and rural Chiba farmland. Notable sights include: Tokyo Bay and its reclaimed land geometry, Tokyo metropolitan skyline in the far distance, Chiba urban-suburban sprawl below, Tone River delta visible to the north.

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

The great circle route from PDX to NRT arcs northward over the Pacific, passing south of the Aleutian Islands chain around the midpoint. The route crosses the North Pacific gyre — open ocean throughout — with the Kamchatka Peninsula of Russia visible to the north in the latter third of the flight. The Kuril Islands chain may be visible as a string of volcanic islands before descent into Japan. The Japanese coastline is first encountered over Hokkaido or northern Honshu depending on routing.