SFO to HND: which side of the plane should you sit on?
San Francisco (SFO) to Tokyo (HND) is a 8,285 km (5,148 mi), roughly 10h 15m westbound flight. Here is where the sun sits along that path, computed with the same astronomy as our live calculator.
On most daytime SFO to HND 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
Views do not decide this route. The shade side is the better pick, and the window seat matters more for glare than for landmarks.
This route does not lean to one views side. Pick the shade side and you lose little on the scenery, so comfort can drive the choice.
Takeoff
After departure from SFO, depending on the runway in use, you may catch a quick look at Oakland and the Bay Area on the right, with San Jose farther left. Alcatraz Island and the Golden Gate Bridge also flash by early on the right, with the bridge passing almost under you.
En route
- 10h 07m inRight →Mito
Near the end, about 10 minutes before landing, Mito appears on the right. It is a brief descent view, not a long stretch of scenery.
Landing
On descent into HND, depending on the runway in use, the last views are mostly city edges on the right: Tokyo, Sagamihara, Saitama, and Hachiōji-shi. Yokosuka sits off to the left as you come in.
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 SFO to HND?
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 SFO to HND 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 SFO to HND?
The great-circle distance is 8,285 km (5,148 mi), which works out to roughly 10h 15m 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 from SFO to HND?
Sit on the right. The shade side is right, and this route does not have a clear views winner.
What can I see on the SFO to HND flight?
You get a few quick departure views around San Francisco, then one short look at Mito near the end. Most of the route is not driven by scenery.