BKK to NRT: best side of the aircraft for views of Mt Fuji?
May 18, 2015, 4:39 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 13
BKK to NRT: best side of the aircraft for views of Mt Fuji?
Apologies if this has already been answered elsewhere, I did run a search but couldn't find anything.
Flying "Royal Silk" on one of the new Thai A380s BKK to NRT and wondered if anyone knows the best side of the plane to be on for views, especially of Mt Fuji. Never been to Tokyo before and can't wait to the assault on the senses and hoping to start that from the air with the approach into the city!
I read somewhere a BA pilot recommended the right hand side but wanted to check with all you seasoned travellers.
Thanks for your help
Flying "Royal Silk" on one of the new Thai A380s BKK to NRT and wondered if anyone knows the best side of the plane to be on for views, especially of Mt Fuji. Never been to Tokyo before and can't wait to the assault on the senses and hoping to start that from the air with the approach into the city!
I read somewhere a BA pilot recommended the right hand side but wanted to check with all you seasoned travellers.
Thanks for your help
May 18, 2015, 5:10 am
#2
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: AGH
Posts: 5,979
I think most of the time they pass by south of the Japanese mainland and then take a sharp turn north, followed by 180 degrees south.
So right hand side is good for the approach... anywhere left should work as well for a glimpse before the 180 turn and on the flight along the coast line.
e.g: http://www.flightradar24.com/data/fl...tg676/#646b05d
So right hand side is good for the approach... anywhere left should work as well for a glimpse before the 180 turn and on the flight along the coast line.
e.g: http://www.flightradar24.com/data/fl...tg676/#646b05d
May 19, 2015, 11:27 am
#4
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Planet Earth
Programs: | *G | STE | HGP ♦ | SPG Au | MR Au
Posts: 3,772
I think most of the time they pass by south of the Japanese mainland and then take a sharp turn north, followed by 180 degrees south.
So right hand side is good for the approach... anywhere left should work as well for a glimpse before the 180 turn and on the flight along the coast line.
e.g: http://www.flightradar24.com/data/fl...tg676/#646b05d
So right hand side is good for the approach... anywhere left should work as well for a glimpse before the 180 turn and on the flight along the coast line.
e.g: http://www.flightradar24.com/data/fl...tg676/#646b05d
Thus, I would be conservative and pick the left side.
A word of caution, fuji-san is shy you won't always see it.
May 20, 2015, 3:29 am
#6
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Planet Earth
Programs: | *G | STE | HGP ♦ | SPG Au | MR Au
Posts: 3,772
I was referencing the following (see underlined):
May 26, 2015, 12:21 am
#8
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: BKK
Programs: AA Plat, HH Diamond, SPG Gold
Posts: 2,395
Welcome to FlyerTalk. Let's see how this does here in the dedicated Japan destination forum, as it is off-topic for the info desk.
Good luck, and safe travels!
Moderator, Information Desk
Good luck, and safe travels!
Moderator, Information Desk
May 26, 2015, 8:52 am
#9
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: NYC / TYO / Up in the Air
Programs: UA GS 1.7MM, AA 2.1MM, EK, BA, SQ, CX, Marriot LT, Accor P
Posts: 6,317
I fly this route often, and would recommend the right side of the aircraft when departing NRT, and the left side of the aircraft when arriving into NRT from SE Asia. The flight paths to/from SE Asia out of NRT seem to mostly go south of Fuji - at least for my 20 or so flights per year...
Took this pic on a clear day last year leaving Narita heading to BKK....
Took this pic on a clear day last year leaving Narita heading to BKK....
Last edited by bmwe92fan; May 26, 2015 at 7:23 pm
Jun 4, 2015, 9:44 pm
#11
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: TYO / WAS / NYC
Programs: American Express got a hit man lookin' for me
Posts: 4,596
You are almost definitely going to pass south of Fuji when coming into NRT, so sit on the left.
They generally route everything into NRT from the south and/or east because they don't want to interfere with traffic at Haneda or the US and Japanese airbases around Tokyo. Even when planes are landing southbound, they will have traffic from the west fly around the south and east sides of the airport (mostly over the ocean) in a giant counter-clockwise circle.
Ooh, here's a map I just found which shows all the possible routes you can take into and out of NRT:
They generally route everything into NRT from the south and/or east because they don't want to interfere with traffic at Haneda or the US and Japanese airbases around Tokyo. Even when planes are landing southbound, they will have traffic from the west fly around the south and east sides of the airport (mostly over the ocean) in a giant counter-clockwise circle.
Ooh, here's a map I just found which shows all the possible routes you can take into and out of NRT:
Jun 5, 2015, 8:29 am
#12
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Beantown! (BOS)
Programs: AA PtPro (2 MM); Hilton Diamond; Hertz President Cr; DL SkyMiles; UA MileagePlus
Posts: 3,438
Looking at the flight path of TG 640 (BKK-NRT) of past few days, the flight pretty much passes between Nii-jima (Nii Island) and Miyake-jima (Miyaka Island) before landing at NRT. More closer to Miyake-jima, which is pretty far from Mt. Fuji.
Yes, sit at left side of the aircraft. It has to be clear day to see Mt. Fuji, but my guess is that even if it is clear day Mt. Fuji will be far away and seen pretty small in distance.
Yes, sit at left side of the aircraft. It has to be clear day to see Mt. Fuji, but my guess is that even if it is clear day Mt. Fuji will be far away and seen pretty small in distance.
Jun 10, 2015, 12:59 pm
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 13
Looking at the flight path of TG 640 (BKK-NRT) of past few days, the flight pretty much passes between Nii-jima (Nii Island) and Miyake-jima (Miyaka Island) before landing at NRT. More closer to Miyake-jima, which is pretty far from Mt. Fuji.
Yes, sit at left side of the aircraft. It has to be clear day to see Mt. Fuji, but my guess is that even if it is clear day Mt. Fuji will be far away and seen pretty small in distance.
Yes, sit at left side of the aircraft. It has to be clear day to see Mt. Fuji, but my guess is that even if it is clear day Mt. Fuji will be far away and seen pretty small in distance.