Loading map...
DTW → NRT
Which side of the plane to sit from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (Detroit) to Narita International Airport (Tokyo)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side is the clear winner, offering a spectacular sequence of volcanic peaks in Kamchatka and the Kuril Islands that are rarely seen on other routes.
Search flights from DTW to NRT
Hudson Bay
The unique, ice-carved coastline of northern Manitoba and the massive scale of the bay.
Chukotka Tundra
The remote and desolate beauty of the easternmost tip of the Asian continent.
Kamchatka Volcanoes
A highlight of the trip, featuring a line of active, perfectly conical snow-capped volcanoes.
Kuril Islands
A dramatic chain of volcanic islands stretching across the sea towards northern Japan.
Hokkaido Island
Dense forests and mountainous terrain of Japan's northernmost main island during the approach.
The right side offers the best views of the Kamchatka volcanoes, usually appearing about 2 to 3 hours before landing. It is also the side facing away from the sun for most of the flight, providing much better visibility and less glare for photography. Look out for the Kuril Islands sequence shortly after passing Russia; they appear as a series of distinct volcanic cones rising from the sea.
Book Hotels in Tokyo
Lake Superior
Views of the largest Great Lake's northern shoreline shortly after departure from Detroit.
Canadian Tundra
The stark, beautiful patterns of the frozen northern territories of Canada.
Brooks Range
Majestic snow-capped peaks of northern Alaska visible as the flight crosses into the Arctic Circle.
Bering Sea
The vast expanse where the Arctic and Pacific oceans meet, often filled with atmospheric cloud formations.
Tohoku Coastline
The rugged eastern edge of Japan's Honshu island as the flight begins its final descent.
The left side is great for spotting the Alaskan interior, but the sun stays on this side for the majority of the westward flight, which can lead to significant glare and heat. Close the window shade during the mid-flight daylight stretch to keep the cabin cool. This side is also best for potential Aurora Borealis sightings during winter months.
Get eSIMs for United States
Get eSIMs for JapanDistance: 10,272 km (6,383 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 12 hrs 5 min
Departure: DTW (42.212398529052734, -83.35340118408203)
Arrival: NRT (35.764701843299996, 140.386001587)
Route Type: International
Thank you for booking your travels through our travel partners. The commissions from your bookings keep this site running.