Both sides face many hours of open Pacific during cruise, but the left side's landing sequence—Tokyo Bay, Yokohama, and a rare clear-day view of Mount Fuji—offers more dramatic and memorable scenery than the harbour view alone provides on departure.
Flight Path
The route's midpoint lies over the open Pacific north of Papua New Guinea, near the Bismarck Sea and the small Admiralty Islands (Manus Island); aside from these remote islands, the cruise phase is dominated by featureless open ocean for several hours.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from SYD
RIGHTDepartures off Sydney's north-south runways typically bank toward the coast shortly after liftoff, putting Sydney Harbour, the Harbour Bridge, Opera House and the eastern beaches on the right side of the cabin before the aircraft settles onto its oceanic track.
Landing at HND
LEFTOn the common south-wind approach into Haneda, arrivals track north up Tokyo Bay before landing on the 34 runways, which places Mount Fuji's distinctive snow-capped cone off to the southwest on the left side, along with sweeping views of Yokohama and Tokyo Bay itself.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD) to Tokyo International (HND)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Sydney to Tokyo. Both sides face many hours of open Pacific during cruise, but the left side's landing sequence—Tokyo Bay, Yokohama, and a rare clear-day view of Mount Fuji—offers more dramatic and memorable scenery than the harbour view alone provides on departure.
What can I see during takeoff from Kingsford Smith International Airport in Sydney?
During takeoff from Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD), sit on the Right side for the best views. Departures off Sydney's north-south runways typically bank toward the coast shortly after liftoff, putting Sydney Harbour, the Harbour Bridge, Opera House and the eastern beaches on the right side of the cabin before the aircraft settles onto its oceanic track. Notable sights include: Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, Bondi Beach, Botany Bay.
What can I see when landing at Tokyo International in Tokyo?
When landing at Tokyo International (HND), sit on the Left side for the best views. On the common south-wind approach into Haneda, arrivals track north up Tokyo Bay before landing on the 34 runways, which places Mount Fuji's distinctive snow-capped cone off to the southwest on the left side, along with sweeping views of Yokohama and Tokyo Bay itself. Notable sights include: Mount Fuji, Tokyo Bay, Yokohama skyline, Tokyo waterfront.
How long is the flight from Sydney to Tokyo?
The flight from Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD) to Tokyo International (HND) takes 9h 35m.
What does the Sydney to Tokyo flight path pass over?
The route's midpoint lies over the open Pacific north of Papua New Guinea, near the Bismarck Sea and the small Admiralty Islands (Manus Island); aside from these remote islands, the cruise phase is dominated by featureless open ocean for several hours.