Left side wins at both ends of this flight. At departure you get Casco Bay and the Maine coast; on arrival you get Tokyo Bay and the city skyline. The transpacific routing over the North Pacific offers limited surface views due to cloud cover and ocean monotony, but the bookend views on the left side are the clear winners.
Flown PWM to NRT? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Portland to Tokyo is 6,621 miles (10,655 km), a flight of about 13 hours 30 minutes.
The great circle route arcs north over Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, then crosses the North Atlantic briefly before tracking over southern Greenland or the Labrador Sea, then sweeps across the Aleutian Island chain of Alaska — occasionally visible as dark volcanic peaks poking through cloud — before descending over the North Pacific toward Honshu. The Aleutians around the midpoint are the most visually distinctive feature if skies are clear, with volcanic island silhouettes on the horizon.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from PWM
LEFTPWM's primary departure runway is Runway 11 (eastward), so a left/north-facing seat gives you views over Casco Bay's islands and the Maine coastline as you climb out. You'll see the Portland peninsula and the scatter of islands including Peaks Island and Long Island clearly below before turning northeast.
Landing at NRT
LEFTNRT typically uses Runway 34L/34R for northerly arrivals, meaning the approach comes from the south over the Chiba Peninsula. A left/west-facing seat gives you the best view of Tokyo Bay, the Tokyo skyline including the distinctive Tokyo Skytree and bay reclamation areas, and the dense urban sprawl of greater Tokyo as you descend.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Portland International Jetport (PWM) to New Tokyo International (NRT)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Portland to Tokyo. Left side wins at both ends of this flight. At departure you get Casco Bay and the Maine coast; on arrival you get Tokyo Bay and the city skyline. The transpacific routing over the North Pacific offers limited surface views due to cloud cover and ocean monotony, but the bookend views on the left side are the clear winners.
What can I see during takeoff from Portland International Jetport in Portland?
During takeoff from Portland International Jetport (PWM), sit on the Left side for the best views. PWM's primary departure runway is Runway 11 (eastward), so a left/north-facing seat gives you views over Casco Bay's islands and the Maine coastline as you climb out. You'll see the Portland peninsula and the scatter of islands including Peaks Island and Long Island clearly below before turning northeast. Notable sights include: Casco Bay islands, Portland peninsula and harbor, Cape Elizabeth coastline, Sebago Lake to the northwest.
What can I see when landing at New Tokyo International in Tokyo?
When landing at New Tokyo International (NRT), sit on the Left side for the best views. NRT typically uses Runway 34L/34R for northerly arrivals, meaning the approach comes from the south over the Chiba Peninsula. A left/west-facing seat gives you the best view of Tokyo Bay, the Tokyo skyline including the distinctive Tokyo Skytree and bay reclamation areas, and the dense urban sprawl of greater Tokyo as you descend. Notable sights include: Tokyo Bay and reclaimed waterfront districts, Tokyo Skytree visible as a slender tower in the urban mass, Chiba city and industrial port below, the Boso Peninsula coastline.
How long is the flight from Portland to Tokyo?
The flight from Portland International Jetport (PWM) to New Tokyo International (NRT) takes about 13 hours 30 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 6,621 miles (10,655 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Portland to Tokyo flight path pass over?
The great circle route arcs north over Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, then crosses the North Atlantic briefly before tracking over southern Greenland or the Labrador Sea, then sweeps across the Aleutian Island chain of Alaska — occasionally visible as dark volcanic peaks poking through cloud — before descending over the North Pacific toward Honshu. The Aleutians around the midpoint are the most visually distinctive feature if skies are clear, with volcanic island silhouettes on the horizon.