About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Vancouver International (YVR) to Hongqiao International (SHA)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Vancouver to Shanghai. Right-side seats win overall because the dramatic North Shore Mountains departure view is more visually distinctive than the landing approach. The takeoff climb offers a concentrated, memorable geographic feature, while the landing is more gradual urban transition. If you prioritize the full journey, right still edges left slightly.
What can I see during takeoff from Vancouver International in Vancouver?
During takeoff from Vancouver International (YVR), sit on the Right side for the best views. Right-side seats capture the North Shore Mountains immediately after departure. YVR typically departs westbound (runways 26L/26R), and right-side views show the dramatic peaks of the Coast Range rising directly north of the airport as you climb out over the Strait of Georgia. Notable sights include: North Shore Mountains (Grouse, Seymour, Cypress peaks), Strait of Georgia, Bowen Island, Vancouver city grid.
What can I see when landing at Hongqiao International in Shanghai?
When landing at Hongqiao International (SHA), sit on the Left side for the best views. Left-side seats offer the best approach views into Hongqiao. Typical landing runways are 34L/34R (northeast heading), which means left-side passengers see the Huangpu River bend, Pudong's skyline, and the approach path over the Yangtze River delta farmland. You'll see the urban transition from rural fields to dense development. Notable sights include: Huangpu River, Pudong financial district skyline, Yangtze River delta agricultural grid, Shanghai suburban sprawl.
How long is the flight from Vancouver to Shanghai?
The flight from Vancouver International (YVR) to Hongqiao International (SHA) takes Approximately 10.5 to 11.5 hours.
What does the Vancouver to Shanghai flight path pass over?
The flight path crosses the North Pacific, passing south of the Aleutian Islands (not visible at cruise altitude), then approaches the Asian continent over the East China Sea. At cruise altitude (35,000+ feet), you'll see the curvature of the Pacific and, on clear days, the Japanese archipelago as a distant landmass on the southern horizon during the final 3-4 hours. The approach into Shanghai crosses the Yangtze River delta, one of the world's most densely populated agricultural and industrial regions.