The right side delivers the flight's most dramatic terrain twice — Taiwan's Central Mountain Range near departure and Manila Bay's skyline near arrival — while the left side offers gentler coastal and lake views that are pleasant but less visually striking.
Flown TSA to MNL? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Taipei to Manila is 730 miles (1,175 km), a flight of about 2 hours 15 minutes.
Luzon Strait (Bashi Channel) between Taiwan and the Philippines, with the Batanes Islands occasionally visible below, followed by open Philippine Sea/South China Sea waters before Luzon's Cordillera foothills and Cagayan Valley come into view.
Great circle distance and headings ›
Phase by phase
Takeoff from TSA
RIGHTClimbing south out of Songshan, the right side faces west toward Taiwan's mountainous spine, giving passengers a good look at the Central Mountain Range's high peaks as the aircraft tracks down the island. The left side mostly shows the flatter Yilan/east-coast lowlands and open Pacific water with less texture.
Landing at MNL
RIGHTOn the descent into Manila, the right side typically faces Manila Bay and the dense Makati/BGC skyline along the waterfront, a striking urban and coastal view. The left side instead looks toward Laguna de Bay and Taal Volcano's distant crater, which are scenic but farther away and often hazier.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Sungshan (TSA) to Ninoy Aquino International (MNL)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Taipei to Manila. The right side delivers the flight's most dramatic terrain twice — Taiwan's Central Mountain Range near departure and Manila Bay's skyline near arrival — while the left side offers gentler coastal and lake views that are pleasant but less visually striking.
What can I see during takeoff from Sungshan in Taipei?
During takeoff from Sungshan (TSA), sit on the Right side for the best views. Climbing south out of Songshan, the right side faces west toward Taiwan's mountainous spine, giving passengers a good look at the Central Mountain Range's high peaks as the aircraft tracks down the island. The left side mostly shows the flatter Yilan/east-coast lowlands and open Pacific water with less texture. Notable sights include: Taipei Basin and Taipei 101, Central Mountain Range, Yushan (Jade Mountain), Taroko Gorge's marble cliffs near Hualien.
What can I see when landing at Ninoy Aquino International in Manila?
When landing at Ninoy Aquino International (MNL), sit on the Right side for the best views. On the descent into Manila, the right side typically faces Manila Bay and the dense Makati/BGC skyline along the waterfront, a striking urban and coastal view. The left side instead looks toward Laguna de Bay and Taal Volcano's distant crater, which are scenic but farther away and often hazier. Notable sights include: Manila Bay, Metro Manila skyline (Makati/BGC), Cavite coastline, Bataan Peninsula on the horizon.
How long is the flight from Taipei to Manila?
The flight from Sungshan (TSA) to Ninoy Aquino International (MNL) takes about 2 hours 15 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 730 miles (1,175 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Taipei to Manila flight path pass over?
Luzon Strait (Bashi Channel) between Taiwan and the Philippines, with the Batanes Islands occasionally visible below, followed by open Philippine Sea/South China Sea waters before Luzon's Cordillera foothills and Cagayan Valley come into view.