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HEL → NRT
Which side of the plane to sit from Helsinki Vantaa Airport (Helsinki) to Narita International Airport (Tokyo)?
Right Side of the Plane
While both sides offer incredible Arctic views, the Right Side is preferred for the chance to spot the Diomede Islands in the Bering Strait and the spectacular volcanic range of the Kamchatka Peninsula.
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The North Pole
Depending on the wind-optimized track, you may fly directly over or very near the geographic North Pole.
Bering Strait
On clear days, see the Diomede Islands where Russia and the USA are only a few miles apart.
Kamchatka Volcanoes
Stunning views of the snow-capped, conical volcanoes of the Russian Far East, including Klyuchevskaya Sopka.
Pacific Coastline
As the flight nears Narita, the right side offers views of the rugged Ibaraki and Chiba coastlines.
The Kamchatka Peninsula is the scenic highlight; check your flight map and look out about 2.5 to 3 hours before landing in Tokyo. If the flight utilizes a more southern trajectory across Central Asia due to weather, the right side provides better views of the Himalayas and the Tibetan Plateau at a distance. Note that glare can be intense over the ice caps, so high-quality sunglasses are recommended.
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Svalbard Archipelago
Aerial views of the rugged, glaciated terrain of the Spitsbergen islands early in the flight.
Arctic Sea Ice
Dramatic patterns of shifting pack ice and deep blue leads across the Arctic Ocean floor.
Aurora Borealis
Frequent sightings of the Northern Lights when flying through the auroral oval during winter months.
Northern Hokkaido
The first glimpse of Japan, featuring the coastline of the Okhotsk Sea and the northern tip of Hokkaido.
On the Polar Route, expect consistent daylight during summer months, making the ice formations highly visible. For winter flights, keep the cabin window shaded but peek out frequently over the Arctic to spot the Aurora Borealis. The approach into Narita from the north often provides a view of the Kujukuri Beach coastline.
Get eSIMs for Finland
Get eSIMs for JapanDistance: 7,829 km (4,865 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 9 hrs 13 min
Departure: HEL (60.317199707031, 24.963300704956)
Arrival: NRT (35.764701843299996, 140.386001587)
Route Type: International
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