The left side is the overall winner. While the right side wins at takeoff for Amsterdam city views, the left side delivers the more spectacular payoff: as the flight crosses Canada and begins descent, you get the full Coast Mountains panorama and Vancouver approach, which is one of the most visually dramatic urban arrivals in North America. Over Greenland and the Canadian Arctic, the left side also faces slightly more southward toward the ice sheet interior, though both sides see similar Arctic scenery on this routing.
Flight Path
The great circle route takes the flight north over Scotland and the Orkney Islands, then across the North Atlantic toward southern Greenland and its ice sheet, over Baffin Island and the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, across the boreal forests of northern British Columbia and the Rockies, and finally descending over the Coast Mountains into Vancouver. Greenland's ice sheet and fjord coastline and the Canadian Rockies are the most visually dramatic midpoint features.
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from AMS
RIGHTSchiphol's primary departure runway 36C/36L sends aircraft northward over the city of Amsterdam. The right side gives you a clear view east over the historic canal ring, the IJ waterway, and the dense urban grid of central Amsterdam before the aircraft turns west toward the North Sea.
Landing at YVR
LEFTYVR's primary arrival runway 26L brings aircraft in from the east over the Fraser River delta. The left side faces north and gives you the full panorama of the Coast Mountains, Burrard Inlet, and the downtown Vancouver skyline as you descend, while the right side looks south over flat Richmond farmland and the Strait of Georgia.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Schiphol (AMS) to Vancouver International (YVR)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Amsterdam to Vancouver. The left side is the overall winner. While the right side wins at takeoff for Amsterdam city views, the left side delivers the more spectacular payoff: as the flight crosses Canada and begins descent, you get the full Coast Mountains panorama and Vancouver approach, which is one of the most visually dramatic urban arrivals in North America. Over Greenland and the Canadian Arctic, the left side also faces slightly more southward toward the ice sheet interior, though both sides see similar Arctic scenery on this routing.
What can I see during takeoff from Schiphol in Amsterdam?
During takeoff from Schiphol (AMS), sit on the Right side for the best views. Schiphol's primary departure runway 36C/36L sends aircraft northward over the city of Amsterdam. The right side gives you a clear view east over the historic canal ring, the IJ waterway, and the dense urban grid of central Amsterdam before the aircraft turns west toward the North Sea. Notable sights include: Amsterdam canal ring, IJ waterway, Amstel River, Haarlem and its surrounding polder landscape.
What can I see when landing at Vancouver International in Vancouver?
When landing at Vancouver International (YVR), sit on the Left side for the best views. YVR's primary arrival runway 26L brings aircraft in from the east over the Fraser River delta. The left side faces north and gives you the full panorama of the Coast Mountains, Burrard Inlet, and the downtown Vancouver skyline as you descend, while the right side looks south over flat Richmond farmland and the Strait of Georgia. Notable sights include: Coast Mountains and Garibaldi massif, Burrard Inlet, downtown Vancouver skyline, Fraser River delta.
How long is the flight from Amsterdam to Vancouver?
The flight from Schiphol (AMS) to Vancouver International (YVR) takes Approximately 9 to 10 hours.
What does the Amsterdam to Vancouver flight path pass over?
The great circle route takes the flight north over Scotland and the Orkney Islands, then across the North Atlantic toward southern Greenland and its ice sheet, over Baffin Island and the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, across the boreal forests of northern British Columbia and the Rockies, and finally descending over the Coast Mountains into Vancouver. Greenland's ice sheet and fjord coastline and the Canadian Rockies are the most visually dramatic midpoint features.