Tokyo to Los Angeles: what the NRT to LAX corridor looks like
- Departure
- Tokyo Narita International Airport, Tokyo, Japan
- Arrival
- Los Angeles International Airport, Los Angeles, the United States
- Great-circle distance
- 8,754 km (4,727 nm)
- Typical airborne time
- 10h 41m
- Usual cruise levels
- FL340 to FL400
- Initial track
- northeast bound
Route overview
The NRT to LAX sector connects Tokyo Narita International Airport in Tokyo, Japan, with Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles, the United States. Measured along the great circle the two airports are 8,754 km apart, roughly 4,727 nautical miles, which is close to 10h 41m in the air before winds and routing are taken into account. The initial track is northeast bound, and the middle of the route sits in subtropical latitudes.
The East Asian jet stream
Along the way the track passes over the open Atlantic and the open Pacific. The East Asian jet stream dominates the winds along this track. Its core is narrow and its position moves day to day, which is why dispatchers replan the route each cycle. Clear air turbulence sits at the edges of that core, and the WAFS forecast shows where it is expected before the flight departs.
Cruise altitudes on this sector
Long haul crews normally start cruise around FL340, then step climb toward FL380 or FL400 as the aircraft burns off fuel and can hold a higher level. Choice of level matters because turbulence is layered: a change of two or three thousand feet often puts the aircraft into calmer air, and that is one of the first adjustments a crew will request.
Seasonal pattern
The East Asian jet stream peaks in winter and weakens through the summer, so late summer and early autumn sectors are usually the smoothest on this corridor.
Flying this route with less worry
It is worth remembering that turbulence of the kind found on the NRT to LAX track is uncomfortable and entirely within what the aircraft is built for. Wings are designed to flex, the flight is planned around the forecast, and the crew adjusts level or track when it helps. The live forecast above shows the current picture for this corridor so there are fewer surprises on the day.