Transpacific flights are more nuanced than transatlantic routes — there's no single dominant side. The answer depends heavily on which US city you're departing from, because the departure view is often the most dramatic scenery on a 10–14 hour flight over open ocean.
The big dividing line: Los Angeles routes generally favor the right (the LA basin and coastline are on the right at climb-out), while San Francisco, Seattle, and Chicago routes tend to favor the left. Here's the full breakdown by route.
The short answer: From LAX to Japan, Korea, or Australia — sit on the right. From SFO or SEA to Japan — sit on the left. For Hong Kong and Singapore from any West Coast city — sit on the left both ways. Use the tool below for any unlisted route.
Get an instant recommendation for your exact transpacific flight.
Look up my flight →Japan routes — Los Angeles & San Francisco
Los Angeles → Tokyo (LAX → NRT)
Right wins — departing LAX, the right side captures the full sweep of the LA basin: Santa Monica Bay, the Downtown skyline, and the Santa Ana Mountains. This view lasts 15–20 minutes and is the scenic highlight of the entire 11-hour flight over the open Pacific.
Full recommendation →Tokyo → Los Angeles (NRT → LAX)
Left wins — Mount Fuji is visible on the left side shortly after departure from Narita as the plane climbs out to the northeast. The great circle route arcs over the Aleutian Islands and Alaska's coast, both on the left. On arrival into LAX, the left side picks up the LA basin approach.
Full recommendation →San Francisco → Tokyo (SFO → NRT)
Left wins — the Golden Gate Bridge and Bay Area coastline are on the left during climb-out from SFO. The great circle route arcs north over the Pacific, and on arrival into Narita the left side sees Tokyo Bay and the city's sprawl on approach.
Full recommendation →Tokyo → San Francisco (NRT → SFO)
Right wins — Mount Fuji appears on the right side as the plane departs Narita heading northeast. On arrival into SFO, the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco Bay are on the right. Both bookend views land on the same side, making right the clear choice.
Full recommendation →Japan routes — Seattle & Chicago
Seattle → Tokyo (SEA → NRT)
Left wins — departing Seattle, the left side picks up Mount Rainier and the Cascade Range as the plane climbs out to the northwest. The Aleutian Island chain also appears on the left during the northern Pacific arc.
Full recommendation →Tokyo → Seattle (NRT → SEA)
Left wins — Fuji is on the left departing Narita, and the Olympic Peninsula's mountains and Puget Sound are on the left side on the descent into Seattle-Tacoma.
Full recommendation →Chicago → Tokyo (ORD → NRT)
Left wins both ends — Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline on departure from O'Hare, then Tokyo Bay and Narita's approach on arrival. The polar great circle route also brings the left side closer to the Aleutians during cruise.
Full recommendation →Tokyo → Chicago (NRT → ORD)
Left wins throughout — Mount Fuji is visible on the left shortly after takeoff, the northern Pacific arc keeps the Aleutian coast on the left, and Lake Michigan and Chicago's skyline appear on the left on approach into O'Hare.
Full recommendation →Hong Kong & Southeast Asia
Los Angeles → Hong Kong (LAX → HKG)
Left wins — the arrival into Hong Kong is the standout view on this route. The left side delivers Hong Kong Harbour, Victoria Peak, and the dense Kowloon skyline on approach — one of the most dramatic city arrivals in aviation.
Full recommendation →Hong Kong → Los Angeles (HKG → LAX)
Left wins — departing Hong Kong, the left side captures the iconic harbour and skyline as the plane climbs out. Victoria Harbour and the dense Kowloon waterfront are on the left shortly after takeoff, making for one of the best departure views in Asia.
Full recommendation →San Francisco → Singapore (SFO → SIN)
Left wins both ends — San Francisco Bay and the Golden Gate are on the left departing SFO, and Singapore's skyline, Sentosa, and the harbor are on the left during the approach into Changi.
Full recommendation →Singapore → San Francisco (SIN → SFO)
Left wins — departing Singapore, the left side picks up the city's skyline and the Strait of Singapore. On arrival into SFO, the Golden Gate and the Bay are on the left. Both cities favor the same side on this route.
Full recommendation →Korea
Los Angeles → Seoul (LAX → ICN)
Right wins — the LA basin departure on the right is the best view on this route: the coastline, basin, and San Gabriel Mountains on climb-out. The rest of the flight to Incheon crosses the northern Pacific with little terrain below.
Full recommendation →Seoul → Los Angeles (ICN → LAX)
Right wins both ends — the Korean Peninsula and Seoul's urban spread are visible on the right at departure from Incheon, and the LA basin and coastline appear on the right on arrival, making right the consistent pick across this route.
Full recommendation →Australia
Los Angeles → Sydney (LAX → SYD)
Right wins — the LA basin view on departure is on the right, with the coastline, Downtown, and Palos Verdes Peninsula visible on climb-out. On arrival into Sydney, the right side delivers views of Sydney Harbour, the Opera House, and the Harbour Bridge — an exceptional bookend to the 15-hour flight.
Full recommendation →Sydney → Los Angeles (SYD → LAX)
Right wins — departing Sydney, the right side captures Sydney Harbour, the Opera House, and the coastal suburbs on climb-out. The plane heads northeast across the Pacific, and the LA basin coastline appears on the right at arrival — a strong right-side route at both ends.
Full recommendation →What to expect over the Pacific at cruise altitude
Unlike the North Atlantic — where you can spot Greenland's ice sheet from 35,000 feet — the central Pacific at cruise altitude is mostly open water with little to distinguish left from right. The main scenic action on transpacific flights is concentrated in the first and last 45–60 minutes.
On routes that arc far north — Seattle, Chicago, and San Francisco flights to Japan — the great circle path passes near or over the Aleutian Islands, a dramatic chain of volcanic peaks stretching across the north Pacific. On a clear day these can be striking from the air, though they're often obscured by cloud at low altitude. Left-side passengers tend to get the better angle on the Aleutians heading toward Japan.
Most US–Asia routes do not pass over Hawaii. The great circle path from the US West Coast to Japan, Korea, or Hong Kong arcs north through Alaska and the Aleutians — well above the Hawaiian Islands. Only routes heading southwest (like LAX–SYD) pass anywhere near the central Pacific, and still typically stay east of Hawaii.
Flying a transpacific route not listed here?
Get my window seat recommendation →Frequently asked questions
Which side of the plane is best on transpacific flights?
Transpacific flights are more mixed than transatlantic routes — the answer depends heavily on your departure city. From Los Angeles to Japan, Korea, or Australia, the right side wins because the LA basin and coastline are on the right during climb-out. From San Francisco or Seattle to Japan, the left side is better. For Hong Kong and Singapore routes from any US West Coast city, left wins both ways.
Can I see Mount Fuji from my seat on a transpacific flight?
Yes — Mount Fuji is often visible on flights departing or arriving at Tokyo Narita (NRT). On NRT to LAX, sit on the left to see Fuji on departure. On NRT to SFO, sit on the right. On flights from the US approaching Tokyo, Fuji appears on the left from SFO or SEA, or the right from LAX. It's most visible in the first or last 30 minutes, weather permitting.
Which side of the plane from Los Angeles to Tokyo?
Sit on the right side for LAX to NRT. Departing Los Angeles, the right side captures the full sweep of the LA basin — Santa Monica Bay, the Downtown skyline, and the Santa Ana Mountains fading into the distance. This is the scenic highlight of the entire route.
Which side of the plane from San Francisco to Tokyo?
Sit on the left side for SFO to NRT. Departing San Francisco, the left side picks up the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay Area coastline during climb-out. On arrival into Narita, the left side sees Tokyo Bay and the city on approach.
Can I see Hawaii from a transpacific flight?
Most US–Japan and US–Asia routes follow great circle paths that arc north over Alaska and the Aleutian Islands — well north of Hawaii. You generally won't see Hawaii on Tokyo, Hong Kong, Singapore, or Seoul flights. LAX–SYD passes through the central Pacific but still typically stays well east of Hawaii.
Which side of the plane from Los Angeles to Sydney?
Sit on the right side for LAX to SYD. The right side captures the spectacular LA basin departure — coastline, city, and mountains — as the plane heads southwest. On arrival into Sydney, the right side also gets views of Sydney Harbour, the Opera House, and the Harbour Bridge.