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Route guide

New York Tokyo

John F. Kennedy (JFK) — Narita (NRT)

Eastbound 14h shift Best side: right
Distance
10,870 km
Duration
14h
Time-zone shift
14h east
Best window side
right

Overview

JFK to Narita — polar-route long-haul, often flown 13-14 hours. The time zone shift is large enough that crossing the dateline may make the trip feel like a westward delay, depending on direction of travel.

Jet lag

Effective 10-hour eastward shift (14 hours forward, but body treats it as 10 east). One of the harder long-hauls. Allow 5-7 days adaptation. Consider light therapy 2 days pre-flight.

Build a JFK→NRT adaptation schedule

Best window side

Polar routing northbound — right side gets mid-flight aurora chances in winter and sunset views eastbound.

Cabin humidity

787 has ~16% cabin humidity vs ~4% on 777 — choose 787 if available for a 14-hour leg.

Other routes