Because this route follows a polar great-circle path over northern Canada, Alaska, and the Russian Far East rather than a direct transpacific line, the left side offers more varied terrain — Canadian wilderness, Arctic coastlines, and glimpses of Siberian and Japanese coastlines — while the right side spends most of the cruise over featureless open ocean and cloud cover.
Flown YYZ to TSA? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Toronto to Taipei is 7,501 miles (12,071 km), a flight of about 14 hours 55 minutes.
Hudson Bay coastline, Canadian Arctic islands, Bering Strait region, Kamchatka Peninsula, Sea of Okhotsk, Sea of Japan
Great circle distance and headings ›Phase by phase
Takeoff from YYZ
LEFTThis far-north great-circle routing means the aircraft climbs out over Toronto and quickly turns toward the Canadian Shield and Hudson Bay region, which sits to the left of the aircraft. Passengers get a brief look at Lake Ontario and the Toronto skyline before the plane banks north, favoring the left-side view.
Landing at TSA
RIGHTOn approach into Songshan, flights typically curve in from the north over the Taipei Basin, putting the mountainous rim of Yangmingshan and the Keelung River corridor on the right side of the cabin. This side also offers a good look at Taipei's dense urban core, including the Taipei 101 skyline, as the plane lines up for landing.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Lester B Pearson International (YYZ) to Sungshan (TSA)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Toronto to Taipei. Because this route follows a polar great-circle path over northern Canada, Alaska, and the Russian Far East rather than a direct transpacific line, the left side offers more varied terrain — Canadian wilderness, Arctic coastlines, and glimpses of Siberian and Japanese coastlines — while the right side spends most of the cruise over featureless open ocean and cloud cover.
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. This far-north great-circle routing means the aircraft climbs out over Toronto and quickly turns toward the Canadian Shield and Hudson Bay region, which sits to the left of the aircraft. Passengers get a brief look at Lake Ontario and the Toronto skyline before the plane banks north, favoring the left-side view. Notable sights include: Lake Ontario shoreline, Toronto downtown skyline (CN Tower), Toronto Islands, Canadian Shield lake country beyond the city.
What can I see when landing at Sungshan in Taipei?
When landing at Sungshan (TSA), sit on the Right side for the best views. On approach into Songshan, flights typically curve in from the north over the Taipei Basin, putting the mountainous rim of Yangmingshan and the Keelung River corridor on the right side of the cabin. This side also offers a good look at Taipei's dense urban core, including the Taipei 101 skyline, as the plane lines up for landing. Notable sights include: Yangmingshan mountain range, Keelung River, Taipei 101 and downtown skyline, Taipei Basin urban sprawl.
How long is the flight from Toronto to Taipei?
The flight from Lester B Pearson International (YYZ) to Sungshan (TSA) takes about 14 hours 55 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 7,501 miles (12,071 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Toronto to Taipei flight path pass over?
Hudson Bay coastline, Canadian Arctic islands, Bering Strait region, Kamchatka Peninsula, Sea of Okhotsk, Sea of Japan