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NRT β DTW
Which side of the plane to sit from Narita International Airport (Tokyo) to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (Detroit)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side is superior for this trans-Pacific route as it provides a front-row seat to the volcanic Aleutian Islands, the rugged coastal mountains of Alaska and the Yukon, and offers the highest probability of witnessing the Aurora Borealis during the night portion of the flight.
Tohoku Coastline
Aerial views of the rugged northeastern coast of Honshu, Japan, shortly after departure from Narita.
Aleutian Island Chain
A dramatic string of volcanic islands stretching across the North Pacific along the Great Circle route.
Alaskan Glaciers
Massive ice fields and alpine peaks of the Gulf of Alaska and the Yukon Territory during the entry to North America.
Aurora Borealis
Optimal viewing of the Northern Lights during the dark, high-latitude crossing of the Pacific and Northern Canada.
The Canadian Shield
The vast, lake-dotted landscape of Manitoba and Northern Ontario as the flight heads toward the Great Lakes.
Lake Superior
Stunning views of the northern shores of the largest freshwater lake in the world during the descent phase.
Sit on the left (port side) for the best chance of spotting the Aurora Borealis; this is most common during the middle third of the flight when flying over high latitudes in darkness. During the summer, the sun barely sets at these latitudes, providing long hours of 'golden hour' lighting over the Alaskan wilderness. Be sure to check the flight path on your monitor; if the route stays north of the Aleutians, the views are spectacular.
Chiba Peninsula
Views of the industrial and coastal landscapes of the Chiba prefecture immediately after takeoff.
Pacific Horizon
Uninterrupted views of the vast Pacific Ocean and beautiful sunrise colors on this eastbound journey.
Mount Fuji
Occasionally visible in the distance during the climb if the flight path tracks slightly south or loops back.
British Columbia Coast
Distant views of the fjords and islands of the Pacific Northwest if the flight path takes a more southerly track.
Great Lakes Basin
Aerial perspective of Lake Michigan and the 'thumb' of Michigan during the final approach into Detroit.
The right side (starboard) can be very bright on this eastbound flight as you fly toward the rising sun. Keep your window shade down if you plan to sleep, but open it as you approach Detroit for views of the Great Lakes. While the views are mostly open ocean for the middle portion, the descent into DTW often provides a great overview of the Michigan landscape and the Detroit River.
Distance: 10,272 km (6,383 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 12 hrs 5 min
Departure: NRT (35.764701843299996, 140.386001587)
Arrival: DTW (42.212398529052734, -83.35340118408203)
Route Type: International
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