Beijing to Whakatane is 6,602 miles (10,625 km), a flight of about 12 hours 30 minutes.
Right seats capture the dramatic departure from Beijing's mountains and the equally striking arrival over New Zealand's Bay of Plenty and White Island. The landing view is particularly rewarding, with the volcanic cone and coastal geography providing strong visual interest.
Flight Path
This ultra-long-haul route crosses the entire Asian continent and Pacific Ocean. Notable features along the flight path include: the Taklamakan Desert and Tian Shan Mountains (western China, ~4 hours out); the Hindu Kush and Himalayas (Afghanistan/Pakistan border region); the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean (crossing south of India); the vast expanse of the southern Indian Ocean (featureless for many hours); and finally the approach to New Zealand with the North Island's volcanic plateau and geothermal features visible during descent. The route typically passes south of the equator over open ocean for approximately 7-8 hours of the flight.
Great circle distance and headings ›
Phase by phase
Takeoff from PEK
LEFTPEK typically departs north or northeast. Left seats face toward the Great Wall's northern sections and the Yanshan Mountains, which are genuinely visible during climb-out. Right seats see the flat North China Plain extending eastward.
Landing at WHK
RIGHTWhakatane's single runway (16/34) typically uses 16 for landing (northeast approach). Right seats face southeast toward the Bay of Plenty and the Pacific coastline. Left seats see inland terrain and the Raukumara Range to the southwest.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Capital (PEK) to Whakatane (WHK)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Beijing to Whakatane. Right seats capture the dramatic departure from Beijing's mountains and the equally striking arrival over New Zealand's Bay of Plenty and White Island. The landing view is particularly rewarding, with the volcanic cone and coastal geography providing strong visual interest.
What can I see during takeoff from Capital in Beijing?
During takeoff from Capital (PEK), sit on the Left side for the best views. PEK typically departs north or northeast. Left seats face toward the Great Wall's northern sections and the Yanshan Mountains, which are genuinely visible during climb-out. Right seats see the flat North China Plain extending eastward. Notable sights include: Great Wall of China (northern sections near Badaling, ~40 miles north), Yanshan Mountains (northeast, forming the horizon), Ming Tombs area (north-northwest), Chaobai River valley (northeast).
What can I see when landing at Whakatane in Whakatane?
When landing at Whakatane (WHK), sit on the Right side for the best views. Whakatane's single runway (16/34) typically uses 16 for landing (northeast approach). Right seats face southeast toward the Bay of Plenty and the Pacific coastline. Left seats see inland terrain and the Raukumara Range to the southwest. Notable sights include: Bay of Plenty (sparkling blue water, immediate offshore), White Island/Whakaari volcano (smoking cone ~30 miles northeast), Whakatane River estuary (brown-tinted water meeting the bay), Raukumara Range (southwest, forested ridges).
How long is the flight from Beijing to Whakatane?
The flight from Capital (PEK) to Whakatane (WHK) takes about 12 hours 30 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 6,602 miles (10,625 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Beijing to Whakatane flight path pass over?
This ultra-long-haul route crosses the entire Asian continent and Pacific Ocean. Notable features along the flight path include: the Taklamakan Desert and Tian Shan Mountains (western China, ~4 hours out); the Hindu Kush and Himalayas (Afghanistan/Pakistan border region); the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean (crossing south of India); the vast expanse of the southern Indian Ocean (featureless for many hours); and finally the approach to New Zealand with the North Island's volcanic plateau and geothermal features visible during descent. The route typically passes south of the equator over open ocean for approximately 7-8 hours of the flight.