SFO to NRT: which side of the plane should you sit on?
San Francisco (SFO) to Narita (NRT) is a 8,227 km (5,112 mi), roughly 10h 11m 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 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
Views do not pick a winner here. Follow the shade side: the right side is the better bet.
This route is mostly about shade, not sightseeing. Views do not decide it, so sit for the right side if you want the darker side of the cabin.
Takeoff
After takeoff from SFO, depending on the runway in use, you can catch Oakland and Fremont on the right. San Jose sits to the left. About a minute in, Alcatraz Island and the Golden Gate Bridge are also on the right, with the bridge passing very close and almost under you.
Landing
On descent into NRT, depending on the runway in use, Tokyo and Saitama are on the right. Chiba and Tokyo Bay are on the left, with Lake Kasumigaura appearing on the right just before landing.
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 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 SFO 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 SFO to NRT?
The great-circle distance is 8,227 km (5,112 mi), which works out to roughly 10h 11m 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 SFO to NRT?
Sit on the right. Views are neutral on this route, and the right side is the shade side.
What can I see after takeoff from SFO?
Soon after departure, Oakland and Fremont are on the right, San Jose is on the left, and the Golden Gate Bridge comes up close on the right.