HND to SFO: which side of the plane should you sit on?
Tokyo (HND) to San Francisco (SFO) is a 8,285 km (5,148 mi), roughly 10h 15m eastbound flight. Here is where the sun sits along that path, computed with the same astronomy as our live calculator.
On most daytime HND to SFO departures the sun favors the right side — sit on the left (an A seat) for shade.
Sun side by season and departure time
| Season | Morning (8 am) | Midday (1 pm) | Evening (6 pm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| March equinox | Right | Left | Both |
| June solstice | Both | Left | Left |
| September equinox | Right | Left | Both |
| December solstice | Right | Right | Right |
What you’ll see on this flight
Views do not decide this route, so go with the left side for shade.
This route does not give one side a clear view advantage. The left side is the shade side, so pick that if glare matters. You still get a few city hits on the way in and out.
Takeoff
After takeoff from HND, depending on the runway in use, you can spot Tokyo, Sagamihara, Saitama, and Hachiōji-shi on the left. Yokosuka sits to the right. It is a busy climb, but the sightline is brief.
En route
- 8m in← LeftMito
About 8 minutes in, Mito sits off the left side. It is the only en-route highlight in this corridor, so keep a window seat if you want a quick look.
Landing
On approach to SFO, depending on the runway in use, the left side picks up Oakland and Fremont, with the Golden Gate Bridge briefly close and steep below the left side. Alcatraz Island is also on the left, while San Jose is on the right. This is the part of the flight to stay alert for.
Sides and timings are computed from this route’s geometry. What you actually see depends on weather, air-traffic routing, and the runway in use on the day.
Frequently asked
Which side of the plane avoids the sun from HND to SFO?
Across typical daytime departures, the sun predominantly hits the right side of the aircraft, so the left side stays shadier. Seat letters start at the left window, so choose an A seat.
Which side has the sunset views on HND to SFO flights?
For sunrise or sunset views, sit on the side the table marks as the sun side for your departure time — that is where the light is.
How long is the flight from HND to SFO?
The great-circle distance is 8,285 km (5,148 mi), which works out to roughly 10h 15m in the air on this eastbound routing. Winds and routing move the real block time around that estimate.
Does the date or departure time change the answer?
Yes — that is why the table shows both. The sun's path shifts with the season, and a morning departure can put the glare on the opposite side compared to an evening one. For a specific flight, the calculator samples the sun along the whole route for your exact date and time.
Which side should I sit on from HND to SFO?
The left side. It is the shade side on this route, and views do not change that call.
What can I see near San Francisco on arrival?
On descent, the left side has Oakland, Fremont, Alcatraz Island, and a brief close pass of the Golden Gate Bridge. San Jose is on the right.