LAX to NRT: which side of the plane should you sit on?
Los Angeles (LAX) to Narita (NRT) is a 8,753 km (5,439 mi), roughly 10h 48m westbound flight. Here is where the sun sits along that path, computed with the same astronomy as our live calculator.
On most daytime LAX to NRT departures the sun favors the left side — sit on the right (a window on the right) for shade.
Sun side by season and departure time
| Season | Morning (8 am) | Midday (1 pm) | Evening (6 pm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| March equinox | Left | Left | Left |
| June solstice | Both | Left | Right |
| September equinox | Left | Left | Left |
| December solstice | Left | Left | Night |
What you’ll see on this flight
The right side is the one to book. It has the views and it stays in shade.
Sit on the right. You get the better views and the shade side on this route, so one side wins twice.
Takeoff
On departure from LAX, sit right for the better early views, depending on the runway in use. Anaheim, Irvine, and Santa Ana sit on that side during the climb, while Long Beach and Oxnard are on the left.
En route
- 10m inRight →Bakersfield
About 10 minutes in, Bakersfield is off the right side as you climb out over inland California.
- 27m inRight →Pinnacles National Park
Around 27 minutes in, Pinnacles National Park appears on the right. It is a brief look, but the park stands out as a distinct patch of wild terrain.
- 35m inRight →San Jose
Near 35 minutes in, San Jose is on the right, followed by Fremont and Oakland a few minutes later.
- 40m inRight →Golden Gate Bridge
About 40 minutes in, the San Francisco cluster comes into view on the right, including the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island. The bridge is the sharpest landmark in the group.
Landing
On arrival into NRT, the right side keeps the better view and the shade, depending on the runway in use. Tokyo and Saitama are on the right, while Chiba and Tokyo Bay sit to the left as you come down.
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 LAX to NRT?
Across typical daytime departures, the sun predominantly hits the left side of the aircraft, so the right side stays shadier. Seat letters start at the left window, so choose the highest window letter (F on narrowbodies, K on many widebodies).
Which side has the sunset views on LAX to NRT 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 LAX to NRT?
The great-circle distance is 8,753 km (5,439 mi), which works out to roughly 10h 48m in the air on this westbound 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 for LAX to NRT?
Sit on the right. It gets the better views and stays on the shade side for this route.
What will I see on the LAX to NRT flight?
You get Anaheim, Irvine, Santa Ana, then Bakersfield, Pinnacles National Park, San Jose, Fremont, Oakland, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Alcatraz Island on the right, plus Tokyo on arrival.