Left side wins at both ends of the flight. Over Toronto you get the city skyline and Lake Ontario on departure, and on arrival into Manila you get the dramatic Manila Bay approach with Corregidor Island. The transpacific cruise portion over the North Pacific offers little differentiation between sides, so the departure and arrival views are the deciding factor.
Flown YYZ to MNL? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Toronto to Manila is 8,210 miles (13,213 km), a flight of about 16 hours 30 minutes.
The great circle route arcs northward over Hudson Bay, then across the Canadian Arctic, over the Gulf of Alaska and the Aleutian Island chain (Aleutians visible as a string of volcanic islands on clear days), then descends southwestward across the North Pacific toward Japan, passing south of the Kamchatka Peninsula and the Kuril Islands before crossing the Philippine Sea toward Luzon
Great circle distance and headings ›Phase by phase
Takeoff from YYZ
LEFTYYZ departures on runway 23 (the most common westerly departure) swing the aircraft southward over the city. The left side gets a clear view of downtown Toronto's skyline including the CN Tower, Lake Ontario's northern shoreline, and the Toronto Islands. The right side faces northwest toward suburban sprawl with little of interest.
Landing at MNL
LEFTNAIA's dominant runway 06/24 means most arrivals come in from the west or southwest over Manila Bay. A left-side seat on approach from the west gives a direct view over Manila Bay's broad expanse, the Pasig River delta, and the dense urban fabric of Metro Manila. The right side faces inland toward Laguna de Bay and the Sierra Madre foothills, which is also scenic but the bay approach is more dramatic.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Lester B Pearson International (YYZ) to Ninoy Aquino International (MNL)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Toronto to Manila. Left side wins at both ends of the flight. Over Toronto you get the city skyline and Lake Ontario on departure, and on arrival into Manila you get the dramatic Manila Bay approach with Corregidor Island. The transpacific cruise portion over the North Pacific offers little differentiation between sides, so the departure and arrival views are the deciding factor.
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. YYZ departures on runway 23 (the most common westerly departure) swing the aircraft southward over the city. The left side gets a clear view of downtown Toronto's skyline including the CN Tower, Lake Ontario's northern shoreline, and the Toronto Islands. The right side faces northwest toward suburban sprawl with little of interest. Notable sights include: CN Tower and downtown Toronto skyline, Toronto Islands and inner harbour, Lake Ontario stretching south, Scarborough Bluffs visible to the east along the lakeshore.
What can I see when landing at Ninoy Aquino International in Manila?
When landing at Ninoy Aquino International (MNL), sit on the Left side for the best views. NAIA's dominant runway 06/24 means most arrivals come in from the west or southwest over Manila Bay. A left-side seat on approach from the west gives a direct view over Manila Bay's broad expanse, the Pasig River delta, and the dense urban fabric of Metro Manila. The right side faces inland toward Laguna de Bay and the Sierra Madre foothills, which is also scenic but the bay approach is more dramatic. Notable sights include: Manila Bay and its broad western approach, Laguna de Bay visible to the southeast, Pasig River winding through Metro Manila, Corregidor Island sitting in the mouth of Manila Bay.
How long is the flight from Toronto to Manila?
The flight from Lester B Pearson International (YYZ) to Ninoy Aquino International (MNL) takes about 16 hours 30 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 8,210 miles (13,213 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Toronto to Manila flight path pass over?
The great circle route arcs northward over Hudson Bay, then across the Canadian Arctic, over the Gulf of Alaska and the Aleutian Island chain (Aleutians visible as a string of volcanic islands on clear days), then descends southwestward across the North Pacific toward Japan, passing south of the Kamchatka Peninsula and the Kuril Islands before crossing the Philippine Sea toward Luzon