While both sides pass over vast stretches of Arctic and Siberian wilderness with little to see, the right side captures the edge of the Greenland ice sheet and Arctic pack ice near the pole, plus the mountainous approach through Yunnan and Myanmar into Thailand — giving it more dramatic terrain overall than the left side's flatter Canadian Arctic islands and Mongolian steppe.
Flown YYZ to BKK? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Toronto to Bangkok is 8,474 miles (13,637 km), a flight of about 17 hours 5 minutes.
Canadian Arctic Archipelago, Arctic Ocean pack ice, edge of the Greenland ice sheet, Siberian tundra of the Taymyr Peninsula, Mongolian steppe near the Gobi Desert
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from YYZ
LEFTAs the aircraft climbs out of YYZ and banks north to begin the polar great-circle track toward Asia, downtown Toronto's skyline and the shoreline of Lake Ontario fall away on the left side of the aircraft. It's a brief but recognizable urban view before the route heads into empty Canadian wilderness.
Landing at BKK
RIGHTOn the descent into Bangkok, the flight path curves south through Yunnan and Myanmar/Laos airspace before crossing into Thailand, putting the forested ridgelines of the Shan Plateau and the Mekong River valley on the right side of the aircraft. This is a much more textured view than the flatter rice-paddy plains typically seen to the left during final approach.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Lester B Pearson International (YYZ) to Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Toronto to Bangkok. While both sides pass over vast stretches of Arctic and Siberian wilderness with little to see, the right side captures the edge of the Greenland ice sheet and Arctic pack ice near the pole, plus the mountainous approach through Yunnan and Myanmar into Thailand — giving it more dramatic terrain overall than the left side's flatter Canadian Arctic islands and Mongolian steppe.
What can I see during takeoff from Lester B Pearson International in Toronto?
During takeoff from Lester B Pearson International (YYZ), sit on the Left side for the best views. As the aircraft climbs out of YYZ and banks north to begin the polar great-circle track toward Asia, downtown Toronto's skyline and the shoreline of Lake Ontario fall away on the left side of the aircraft. It's a brief but recognizable urban view before the route heads into empty Canadian wilderness. Notable sights include: Toronto skyline and CN Tower, Lake Ontario shoreline, Toronto Islands, Humber River mouth.
What can I see when landing at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok?
When landing at Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), sit on the Right side for the best views. On the descent into Bangkok, the flight path curves south through Yunnan and Myanmar/Laos airspace before crossing into Thailand, putting the forested ridgelines of the Shan Plateau and the Mekong River valley on the right side of the aircraft. This is a much more textured view than the flatter rice-paddy plains typically seen to the left during final approach. Notable sights include: Shan Plateau foothills, Mekong River valley, Gulf of Thailand coastline, Chao Phraya River delta.
How long is the flight from Toronto to Bangkok?
The flight from Lester B Pearson International (YYZ) to Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) takes about 17 hours 5 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 8,474 miles (13,637 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Toronto to Bangkok flight path pass over?
Canadian Arctic Archipelago, Arctic Ocean pack ice, edge of the Greenland ice sheet, Siberian tundra of the Taymyr Peninsula, Mongolian steppe near the Gobi Desert