The right side delivers the best views at both ends of the flight: Mount Rainier and Lake Washington on departure, and San Francisco Bay and the Santa Cruz Mountains on arrival. Along the cruise portion heading south, the right side also faces west toward the Oregon and California coastline as the route tracks down the Pacific coast corridor.
Flown BFI to SFO? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Seattle to San Francisco is 685 miles (1,102 km), a flight of about 2 hours 15 minutes.
The route tracks roughly south-southwest along the Pacific coast corridor. Over Oregon, the Willamette Valley is visible as a broad flat agricultural plain flanked by the Coast Range to the west and the Cascades to the east, with Mount Hood and Mount Jefferson visible as snow-capped peaks on the eastern horizon. Over northern California, the Sacramento Valley opens up as a vast flat basin. Mount Shasta is a prominent isolated volcanic cone visible from considerable distance on the eastern side. The Klamath Mountains and Trinity Alps appear as rugged terrain in the middle distance. Approaching the Bay Area, the Sacramento Delta's intricate network of waterways and the Diablo Range become visible.
Great circle distance and headings ›
Phase by phase
Takeoff from BFI
RIGHTBFI's primary departure runway is 13R, heading southeast, which puts the right side facing northeast toward Lake Washington, the Cascade Range, and Mount Rainier. The left side faces industrial south Seattle and the Duwamish waterway with limited scenic value.
Landing at SFO
RIGHTSFO's primary arrival runways 28L and 28R have aircraft approaching from the east over the Bay, putting the right side facing south toward the San Mateo Bridge, the southern Bay, and the Santa Cruz Mountains. The left side faces north toward the city of San Francisco and the Golden Gate, but the approach angle keeps those features more distant and partially behind the aircraft.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Boeing Fld King Co International (BFI) to San Francisco International (SFO)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Seattle to San Francisco. The right side delivers the best views at both ends of the flight: Mount Rainier and Lake Washington on departure, and San Francisco Bay and the Santa Cruz Mountains on arrival. Along the cruise portion heading south, the right side also faces west toward the Oregon and California coastline as the route tracks down the Pacific coast corridor.
What can I see during takeoff from Boeing Fld King Co International in Seattle?
During takeoff from Boeing Fld King Co International (BFI), sit on the Right side for the best views. BFI's primary departure runway is 13R, heading southeast, which puts the right side facing northeast toward Lake Washington, the Cascade Range, and Mount Rainier. The left side faces industrial south Seattle and the Duwamish waterway with limited scenic value. Notable sights include: Lake Washington, Mount Rainier, the Cascade Range foothills, Mercer Island.
What can I see when landing at San Francisco International in San Francisco?
When landing at San Francisco International (SFO), sit on the Right side for the best views. SFO's primary arrival runways 28L and 28R have aircraft approaching from the east over the Bay, putting the right side facing south toward the San Mateo Bridge, the southern Bay, and the Santa Cruz Mountains. The left side faces north toward the city of San Francisco and the Golden Gate, but the approach angle keeps those features more distant and partially behind the aircraft. Notable sights include: San Francisco Bay, San Mateo Bridge, the Santa Cruz Mountains, the San Francisco Peninsula shoreline.
How long is the flight from Seattle to San Francisco?
The flight from Boeing Fld King Co International (BFI) to San Francisco International (SFO) takes about 2 hours 15 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 685 miles (1,102 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Seattle to San Francisco flight path pass over?
The route tracks roughly south-southwest along the Pacific coast corridor. Over Oregon, the Willamette Valley is visible as a broad flat agricultural plain flanked by the Coast Range to the west and the Cascades to the east, with Mount Hood and Mount Jefferson visible as snow-capped peaks on the eastern horizon. Over northern California, the Sacramento Valley opens up as a vast flat basin. Mount Shasta is a prominent isolated volcanic cone visible from considerable distance on the eastern side. The Klamath Mountains and Trinity Alps appear as rugged terrain in the middle distance. Approaching the Bay Area, the Sacramento Delta's intricate network of waterways and the Diablo Range become visible.