Across the long polar-arc cruise, the right side of the aircraft tracks closer to the Arctic and North Pacific landmasses — Hudson Bay, the Canadian Arctic tundra, and the Bering Sea/Kamchatka region — offering more visual variety than the left side's long stretch over open ocean and interior plains, and it also wins the more scenic Narita approach.
Flown YYZ to NRT? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Toronto to Tokyo is 6,400 miles (10,299 km), a flight of about 13 hours 30 minutes.
Hudson Bay and the Canadian Arctic tundra, Baffin Island region, Bering Sea and the Aleutian chain approach, Kamchatka Peninsula's volcanic ridgeline, Sea of Okhotsk near Sakhalin before descent into Japan
Great circle distance and headings ›
Phase by phase
Takeoff from YYZ
LEFTDeparting YYZ toward the northwest, the initial turn swings the aircraft away from downtown Toronto, giving left-side passengers a receding view of the CN Tower skyline and the shoreline of Lake Ontario before the plane settles onto its northbound track over rural Ontario.
Landing at NRT
RIGHTArrivals into Narita from the North American side typically curve in over the Pacific and Chiba's coast before turning onto final approach, so the right side gets the better look at the Pacific coastline and Tokyo Bay's edge as the plane descends over farmland toward the airport.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Lester B Pearson International (YYZ) to New Tokyo International (NRT)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Toronto to Tokyo. Across the long polar-arc cruise, the right side of the aircraft tracks closer to the Arctic and North Pacific landmasses — Hudson Bay, the Canadian Arctic tundra, and the Bering Sea/Kamchatka region — offering more visual variety than the left side's long stretch over open ocean and interior plains, and it also wins the more scenic Narita approach.
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. Departing YYZ toward the northwest, the initial turn swings the aircraft away from downtown Toronto, giving left-side passengers a receding view of the CN Tower skyline and the shoreline of Lake Ontario before the plane settles onto its northbound track over rural Ontario. Notable sights include: CN Tower and downtown Toronto skyline, Lake Ontario shoreline, Toronto Islands, Pearson's parallel runway complex.
What can I see when landing at New Tokyo International in Tokyo?
When landing at New Tokyo International (NRT), sit on the Right side for the best views. Arrivals into Narita from the North American side typically curve in over the Pacific and Chiba's coast before turning onto final approach, so the right side gets the better look at the Pacific coastline and Tokyo Bay's edge as the plane descends over farmland toward the airport. Notable sights include: Kujukuri Beach coastline, Tokyo Bay in the distance, Chiba's patchwork farmland, Narita's parallel 16/34 runways.
How long is the flight from Toronto to Tokyo?
The flight from Lester B Pearson International (YYZ) to New Tokyo International (NRT) takes about 13 hours 30 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 6,400 miles (10,299 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Toronto to Tokyo flight path pass over?
Hudson Bay and the Canadian Arctic tundra, Baffin Island region, Bering Sea and the Aleutian chain approach, Kamchatka Peninsula's volcanic ridgeline, Sea of Okhotsk near Sakhalin before descent into Japan