The right side wins because the great-circle route over the North Atlantic and Canadian Arctic keeps southern Greenland's ice sheet, Baffin Island's fjords, and the northern Canadian Rockies on that side of the aircraft during a long, visually dramatic cruise segment, and the same side delivers the memorable downtown San Diego and Coronado Bay skyline view on final approach.
Flown AMS to SAN? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Amsterdam to San Diego is 5,599 miles (9,012 km), a flight of about 10 hours 45 minutes.
Southern Greenland's ice sheet and fjords, Baffin Island, Hudson Bay coastline, and the northern Canadian Rockies along the great-circle route
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from AMS
LEFTAs the aircraft climbs out from Schiphol's Polderbaan and banks onto its transatlantic heading, the left side offers a brief glimpse of Amsterdam's canal rings and the IJsselmeer before the aircraft heads out over the flat Dutch coastline and North Sea. The right side mostly shows open North Sea water with little variation.
Landing at SAN
RIGHTOn the standard eastward approach into Runway 27, the aircraft descends over Mission Valley and banks slightly south before final, putting downtown San Diego's skyline, the Coronado Bay Bridge, and Balboa Park's green canyon squarely on the right side. The left side mostly shows suburban Mission Valley and freeway corridors with less visual interest.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Schiphol (AMS) to San Diego International Lindbergh Fld (SAN)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Amsterdam to San Diego. The right side wins because the great-circle route over the North Atlantic and Canadian Arctic keeps southern Greenland's ice sheet, Baffin Island's fjords, and the northern Canadian Rockies on that side of the aircraft during a long, visually dramatic cruise segment, and the same side delivers the memorable downtown San Diego and Coronado Bay skyline view on final approach.
What can I see during takeoff from Schiphol in Amsterdam?
During takeoff from Schiphol (AMS), sit on the Left side for the best views. As the aircraft climbs out from Schiphol's Polderbaan and banks onto its transatlantic heading, the left side offers a brief glimpse of Amsterdam's canal rings and the IJsselmeer before the aircraft heads out over the flat Dutch coastline and North Sea. The right side mostly shows open North Sea water with little variation. Notable sights include: Amsterdam canal ring, IJsselmeer, Dutch polder farmland, North Sea coastline.
What can I see when landing at San Diego International Lindbergh Fld in San Diego?
When landing at San Diego International Lindbergh Fld (SAN), sit on the Right side for the best views. On the standard eastward approach into Runway 27, the aircraft descends over Mission Valley and banks slightly south before final, putting downtown San Diego's skyline, the Coronado Bay Bridge, and Balboa Park's green canyon squarely on the right side. The left side mostly shows suburban Mission Valley and freeway corridors with less visual interest. Notable sights include: Downtown San Diego skyline, Coronado Bay Bridge, San Diego Bay, Balboa Park canyons.
How long is the flight from Amsterdam to San Diego?
The flight from Schiphol (AMS) to San Diego International Lindbergh Fld (SAN) takes about 10 hours 45 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 5,599 miles (9,012 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Amsterdam to San Diego flight path pass over?
Southern Greenland's ice sheet and fjords, Baffin Island, Hudson Bay coastline, and the northern Canadian Rockies along the great-circle route