The left side wins on both ends of the flight — Boston's skyline at departure and San Diego's downtown, bay, and Balboa Park at arrival — plus better views of the southern Rockies and high desert terrain during cruise. The right side spends takeoff over open ocean and arrival over inland mesas, offering far less variety.
Flight Path
Southern Rocky Mountains and Sangre de Cristo range near the Colorado-New Mexico border, the high plains of eastern Colorado and Kansas, and the arid mesas and desert basins of northern Arizona leading into the Mojave/Sonoran transition before descending into Southern California.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from BOS
LEFTBOS noise-abatement departures climb north over the harbor before banking west toward the transcon route, and that turn puts downtown Boston's skyline and the Charles River right outside the left windows. The right side mostly just shows open Atlantic water and harbor islands during the same maneuver.
Landing at SAN
LEFTThe Runway 27 approach into SAN flies low right over downtown San Diego and Balboa Park before touchdown, and from the left side that means a close, dramatic view of the skyline, Coronado Bridge, and San Diego Bay. The right side instead looks over inland Mission Valley and rolling mesas, which is far less striking.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from General Edward Lawrence Logan International (BOS) to San Diego International Lindbergh Fld (SAN)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Boston to San Diego. The left side wins on both ends of the flight — Boston's skyline at departure and San Diego's downtown, bay, and Balboa Park at arrival — plus better views of the southern Rockies and high desert terrain during cruise. The right side spends takeoff over open ocean and arrival over inland mesas, offering far less variety.
What can I see during takeoff from General Edward Lawrence Logan International in Boston?
During takeoff from General Edward Lawrence Logan International (BOS), sit on the Left side for the best views. BOS noise-abatement departures climb north over the harbor before banking west toward the transcon route, and that turn puts downtown Boston's skyline and the Charles River right outside the left windows. The right side mostly just shows open Atlantic water and harbor islands during the same maneuver. Notable sights include: Boston Financial District skyline, Charles River, Boston Harbor Islands, Logan Airport peninsula.
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 Left side for the best views. The Runway 27 approach into SAN flies low right over downtown San Diego and Balboa Park before touchdown, and from the left side that means a close, dramatic view of the skyline, Coronado Bridge, and San Diego Bay. The right side instead looks over inland Mission Valley and rolling mesas, which is far less striking. Notable sights include: Downtown San Diego skyline, Balboa Park, Coronado Bridge, San Diego Bay.
How long is the flight from Boston to San Diego?
The flight from General Edward Lawrence Logan International (BOS) to San Diego International Lindbergh Fld (SAN) takes 6h 15m.
What does the Boston to San Diego flight path pass over?
Southern Rocky Mountains and Sangre de Cristo range near the Colorado-New Mexico border, the high plains of eastern Colorado and Kansas, and the arid mesas and desert basins of northern Arizona leading into the Mojave/Sonoran transition before descending into Southern California.