Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Toronto to Shanghai. Left seats dominate the landing experience with the Huangpu River and Pudong skyline views, which are the most visually distinctive features of this route. While right seats offer good takeoff views over Lake Ontario, the landing advantage is more dramatic and memorable.

During takeoff from Downsview (YZD), sit on the Right side for the best views. Downsview typically departs runway 15 (southeast). Right-side seats face northwest initially, then bank right over Lake Ontario, providing clear views of the Toronto waterfront, the Greater Toronto Area sprawl, and the Niagara Escarpment as you climb. Left seats see inland suburbs and lose the water views quickly. Notable sights include: Lake Ontario (immediate south), Toronto downtown skyline and CN Tower (southeast, 15 km away), Niagara Escarpment ridge (southwest horizon, 40 km), Hamilton area (west across the lake).

When landing at Shanghai Pudong International (PVG), sit on the Left side for the best views. PVG uses runways 08L/08R for most arrivals from the west. Left-side seats on approach face south and southeast, giving direct views of the Huangpu River's distinctive curves, Pudong's high-rise skyline, and the Yangtze River delta landscape. Right seats see the industrial areas north of the airport and miss the river and skyline drama. Notable sights include: Huangpu River with its characteristic meanders (directly below during final approach), Pudong financial district skyline including Oriental Pearl Tower (southeast, 20 km), Yangtze River (north, 30 km away on horizon), East China Sea coastal plains (south and east, flat agricultural/industrial grid).

The flight from Downsview (YZD) to Shanghai Pudong International (PVG) takes Approximately 13-14 hours.

The flight crosses the North Pacific, passing north of the Aleutian Islands (visible only on clear days, typically 35,000+ feet), then over the Kamchatka Peninsula and Sakhalin Island in Russian Far East. The route then crosses the Sea of Japan and approaches China over the Yellow Sea and Bohai Bay before reaching Shanghai. Most of the Pacific crossing occurs at cruise altitude where individual landmarks are not distinctly visible; the Aleutians and Kamchatka are the only significant landmasses on the route, appearing as distant, snow-covered ridges if visible at all.