About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Albany International (ALB) to San Francisco International (SFO)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Albany to San Francisco. Left side wins both takeoff and landing. During the flight itself, the left side also faces generally south and southwest, offering better views of the Sierra Nevada as the aircraft crosses California, including a distant look at the Lake Tahoe basin on clear days.
What can I see during takeoff from Albany International in Albany?
During takeoff from Albany International (ALB), sit on the Left side for the best views. Albany typically departs runway 01 heading north or runway 19 heading south. On a westbound flight to SFO, aircraft often depart runway 01 and turn left (west/southwest), putting the Hudson River and the Catskill Mountains on the left side during the initial climb and turn. Notable sights include: Hudson River directly below during climb, Catskill Mountains to the southwest, Helderberg Escarpment to the west, downtown Albany grid visible briefly below.
What can I see when landing at San Francisco International in San Francisco?
When landing at San Francisco International (SFO), sit on the Left side for the best views. SFO arrivals typically come from the east and land on runways 28L/28R heading west, or from the south on runways 10L/10R. On the standard QUIET BRIDGE or SERFR arrival from the east, the aircraft tracks over the Bay Area from the east, and the left side offers views of the San Francisco Bay, the Bay Bridge, and the San Francisco city skyline as the aircraft descends over the peninsula. Notable sights include: San Francisco Bay and the Bay Bridge, San Francisco city skyline and downtown, San Mateo Bridge visible to the south, Oakland and the East Bay hills across the water.
How long is the flight from Albany to San Francisco?
The flight from Albany International (ALB) to San Francisco International (SFO) takes Approximately 5 hours 30 minutes to 6 hours.
What does the Albany to San Francisco flight path pass over?
The flight crosses the Adirondack foothills briefly, then the Great Lakes region to the north, the flat agricultural expanse of the Midwest over Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, the Missouri River corridor, the Great Plains of Nebraska and Kansas, the Rocky Mountains over Colorado or Wyoming depending on routing, the Great Basin desert of Nevada, the Sierra Nevada range including the Lake Tahoe area, and finally the Central Valley of California before descending into the Bay Area