About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Lester B Pearson International (YYZ) to Shanghai Pudong International (PVG)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Toronto to Shanghai. Left side wins at both ends of the flight. Over the Pacific and across the North Pacific routing, neither side offers dramatically more terrain, but the left side delivers the Toronto skyline on departure and the Shanghai Pudong skyline on approach, making it the clear choice for the most memorable moments of the journey.
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 left and northward, putting Lake Ontario and the Toronto skyline on the left side. You get a clear view of the CN Tower, downtown core, and the lake stretching east toward Hamilton Bay. Notable sights include: CN Tower and downtown Toronto skyline, Lake Ontario shoreline, Toronto Islands, Hamilton Bay to the southwest.
What can I see when landing at Shanghai Pudong International in Shanghai?
When landing at Shanghai Pudong International (PVG), sit on the Left side for the best views. PVG sits south of the Yangtze River mouth, and aircraft typically approach from the east or northeast on runway 34L/34R. A left-side seat gives you the view over the Huangpu River corridor, the Pudong skyline with the Oriental Pearl Tower and Shanghai Tower, and the dense urban fabric of central Shanghai before touchdown. Notable sights include: Pudong skyline including Shanghai Tower and Oriental Pearl Tower, Huangpu River winding through the city, Suzhou Creek confluence, dense urban grid of central Shanghai.
How long is the flight from Toronto to Shanghai?
The flight from Lester B Pearson International (YYZ) to Shanghai Pudong International (PVG) takes Approximately 14 to 15 hours nonstop.
What does the Toronto to Shanghai flight path pass over?
The great circle route arcs north over Hudson Bay, then across the southern tip of Baffin Island, over the Labrador Sea, then tracks across the North Pacific. Passengers may see sea ice and the Aleutian Island chain as distant specks below on the left side during the Pacific crossing. The route descends over the Korean Peninsula or Yellow Sea depending on the day's routing, with the coastline of eastern China visible on approach. The Yangtze River delta is visible from both sides in the final descent into Shanghai.