The great-circle route from Raleigh to Pyongyang tracks north-northwest across the Appalachians, the Canadian Rockies, Alaska, and the volcanic Kamchatka Peninsula before curving south into Korea — all features that stay on the left side of the aircraft. The right side spends most of the flight over the featureless North Pacific and Bering Sea.
Flown RDU to FNJ? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Raleigh-Durham to Pyongyang is 7,019 miles (11,295 km), a flight of about 13 hours 45 minutes.
Gulf of Alaska coastline, Aleutian volcanic chain, Kamchatka Peninsula's snow-capped volcanoes, and the Sea of Okhotsk before descending toward the Korean peninsula
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from RDU
LEFTDeparting RDU on runway 23, the aircraft turns north-northwest to align with the great-circle track toward Korea, putting the Piedmont hills and the distant Blue Ridge escarpment on the left as the plane climbs out over central North Carolina. The right side only shows the flatter coastal plain fading toward the Atlantic.
Landing at FNJ
LEFTOn approach to FNJ's runway 35 from the south, the descent path crosses North Korea's interior highlands before leveling out over the Taedong River valley, so the left side captures the rugged Myohyangsan foothills and terraced valleys while the right side mostly shows flatter coastal lowland toward the Yellow Sea.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Raleigh Durham International (RDU) to Pyongyang Sunan International Airport (FNJ)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Raleigh-Durham to Pyongyang. The great-circle route from Raleigh to Pyongyang tracks north-northwest across the Appalachians, the Canadian Rockies, Alaska, and the volcanic Kamchatka Peninsula before curving south into Korea — all features that stay on the left side of the aircraft. The right side spends most of the flight over the featureless North Pacific and Bering Sea.
What can I see during takeoff from Raleigh Durham International in Raleigh-Durham?
During takeoff from Raleigh Durham International (RDU), sit on the Left side for the best views. Departing RDU on runway 23, the aircraft turns north-northwest to align with the great-circle track toward Korea, putting the Piedmont hills and the distant Blue Ridge escarpment on the left as the plane climbs out over central North Carolina. The right side only shows the flatter coastal plain fading toward the Atlantic. Notable sights include: Falls Lake, Piedmont foothills, distant Blue Ridge Mountains silhouette, Raleigh-Durham suburban grid.
What can I see when landing at Pyongyang Sunan International Airport in Pyongyang?
When landing at Pyongyang Sunan International Airport (FNJ), sit on the Left side for the best views. On approach to FNJ's runway 35 from the south, the descent path crosses North Korea's interior highlands before leveling out over the Taedong River valley, so the left side captures the rugged Myohyangsan foothills and terraced valleys while the right side mostly shows flatter coastal lowland toward the Yellow Sea. Notable sights include: Myohyangsan foothills, Taedong River bends, terraced farmland, Pyongyang skyline near touchdown.
How long is the flight from Raleigh-Durham to Pyongyang?
The flight from Raleigh Durham International (RDU) to Pyongyang Sunan International Airport (FNJ) takes about 13 hours 45 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 7,019 miles (11,295 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Raleigh-Durham to Pyongyang flight path pass over?
Gulf of Alaska coastline, Aleutian volcanic chain, Kamchatka Peninsula's snow-capped volcanoes, and the Sea of Okhotsk before descending toward the Korean peninsula