Left side wins both departure and arrival, and across the Great Basin and Sierra Nevada the left (south-facing) side also picks up better views of the Sierra Nevada range as the aircraft descends toward California. Consistent advantage throughout the flight.
Flown BDL to SFO? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Windsor Locks to San Francisco is 2,618 miles (4,214 km), a flight of about 5 hours 45 minutes.
Upstate New York and the Mohawk Valley early on, then the Great Lakes southern shore (Lake Erie visible to the left), northern Ohio and Indiana flatlands, Chicago metro area roughly visible to the left, then the Mississippi River crossing near Iowa, Nebraska and Wyoming high plains, the Rocky Mountains crossing over southern Wyoming (Medicine Bow Range area), the Great Basin desert of Nevada with its parallel fault-block ranges, and finally the Sierra Nevada crossing before descending into the Central Valley and the Bay Area
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from BDL
LEFTBDL typically departs runway 06 heading northeast or runway 33 heading northwest. On a westbound flight to SFO, aircraft commonly use runway 33, turning left (south then west). The left side captures the Connecticut River valley below and the Hartford skyline to the south as the aircraft banks west.
Landing at SFO
LEFTSFO typically lands on runways 28L/28R approaching from the east over the Bay, or runways 19L/19R from the north. On the standard 28L/28R approach from the east, the left side looks north across the full San Francisco Bay, with the Bay Bridge, San Francisco city, and Marin Headlands all clearly visible. The right side faces south toward the less scenic South Bay.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Bradley International (BDL) to San Francisco International (SFO)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Windsor Locks to San Francisco. Left side wins both departure and arrival, and across the Great Basin and Sierra Nevada the left (south-facing) side also picks up better views of the Sierra Nevada range as the aircraft descends toward California. Consistent advantage throughout the flight.
What can I see during takeoff from Bradley International in Windsor Locks?
During takeoff from Bradley International (BDL), sit on the Left side for the best views. BDL typically departs runway 06 heading northeast or runway 33 heading northwest. On a westbound flight to SFO, aircraft commonly use runway 33, turning left (south then west). The left side captures the Connecticut River valley below and the Hartford skyline to the south as the aircraft banks west. Notable sights include: Connecticut River valley, Hartford downtown skyline, Metacomet Ridge (traprock ridgeline running north-south), Quabbin Reservoir (Massachusetts, visible to the northwest on clear days).
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 typically lands on runways 28L/28R approaching from the east over the Bay, or runways 19L/19R from the north. On the standard 28L/28R approach from the east, the left side looks north across the full San Francisco Bay, with the Bay Bridge, San Francisco city, and Marin Headlands all clearly visible. The right side faces south toward the less scenic South Bay. Notable sights include: San Francisco Bay, Bay Bridge (Oakland-San Francisco), San Francisco city grid and hills, Marin Headlands and Golden Gate Bridge.
How long is the flight from Windsor Locks to San Francisco?
The flight from Bradley International (BDL) to San Francisco International (SFO) takes about 5 hours 45 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 2,618 miles (4,214 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Windsor Locks to San Francisco flight path pass over?
Upstate New York and the Mohawk Valley early on, then the Great Lakes southern shore (Lake Erie visible to the left), northern Ohio and Indiana flatlands, Chicago metro area roughly visible to the left, then the Mississippi River crossing near Iowa, Nebraska and Wyoming high plains, the Rocky Mountains crossing over southern Wyoming (Medicine Bow Range area), the Great Basin desert of Nevada with its parallel fault-block ranges, and finally the Sierra Nevada crossing before descending into the Central Valley and the Bay Area