NRT to SFO: which side of the plane should you sit on?
Narita (NRT) to San Francisco (SFO) is a 8,227 km (5,112 mi), roughly 10h 11m eastbound flight. Here is where the sun sits along that path, computed with the same astronomy as our live calculator.
On most daytime NRT 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. Pick the left side for shade.
This route is a shade call, not a sightseeing one. Views do not pick a side, so you sit left for the better sun angle. Expect a few nearby Japanese landmarks after takeoff and a few Bay Area names on approach, but not a long scenic corridor.
Takeoff
After takeoff from NRT, depending on the runway in use, you may see Tokyo, Chiba, and Saitama off the left side during the climb. Tokyo Bay sits to the right. About a minute in, Lake Kasumigaura also stays on the left.
Landing
On descent into SFO, depending on the runway in use, the left side picks up Alcatraz Island, the Golden Gate Bridge, Oakland, and Fremont. San Jose sits to the right. The bridge is nearly under you, so it flashes by fast on the left.
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 NRT 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 NRT 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 NRT to SFO?
The great-circle distance is 8,227 km (5,112 mi), which works out to roughly 10h 11m 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 for NRT to SFO?
Sit on the left. Views are neutral here, so shade is the tie-breaker.
What will I see after takeoff and before landing on NRT to SFO?
After takeoff, the left side gets Tokyo, Chiba, Saitama, and Lake Kasumigaura. On approach, the left side gets Alcatraz Island, the Golden Gate Bridge, Oakland, and Fremont.