The right side captures Boston Harbor at departure, the Rocky Mountains and Great Salt Lake basin during cruise, and the San Francisco Bay and Golden Gate Bridge on arrival, giving it far more varied and dramatic scenery than the left side's mostly featureless plains and southern desert views.
Flown BOS to SFO? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Boston to San Francisco is 2,697 miles (4,341 km), a flight of about 6 hours 15 minutes.
Great Lakes shoreline near Erie, the Great Plains of Nebraska, the Rocky Mountains of Wyoming and Colorado, and the Great Salt Lake and Great Basin desert of Utah and Nevada before crossing the Sierra Nevada into California
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from BOS
RIGHTBOS noise-abatement departures climb out over Boston Harbor before turning west, putting the harbor islands, Logan's runway complex, and the downtown Boston skyline on the right side of the aircraft during the initial climb.
Landing at SFO
RIGHTOn the descent into SFO, the approach path swings up along the San Francisco Peninsula, giving right-side passengers a view of the Bay, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the San Francisco skyline before touchdown.
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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 Francisco International (SFO)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Boston to San Francisco. The right side captures Boston Harbor at departure, the Rocky Mountains and Great Salt Lake basin during cruise, and the San Francisco Bay and Golden Gate Bridge on arrival, giving it far more varied and dramatic scenery than the left side's mostly featureless plains and southern desert views.
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 Right side for the best views. BOS noise-abatement departures climb out over Boston Harbor before turning west, putting the harbor islands, Logan's runway complex, and the downtown Boston skyline on the right side of the aircraft during the initial climb. Notable sights include: Boston Harbor Islands, Logan International Airport peninsula, Downtown Boston skyline, Atlantic coastline.
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. On the descent into SFO, the approach path swings up along the San Francisco Peninsula, giving right-side passengers a view of the Bay, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the San Francisco skyline before touchdown. Notable sights include: San Francisco Bay, Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco skyline, Marin Headlands.
How long is the flight from Boston to San Francisco?
The flight from General Edward Lawrence Logan International (BOS) to San Francisco International (SFO) takes about 6 hours 15 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 2,697 miles (4,341 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Boston to San Francisco flight path pass over?
Great Lakes shoreline near Erie, the Great Plains of Nebraska, the Rocky Mountains of Wyoming and Colorado, and the Great Salt Lake and Great Basin desert of Utah and Nevada before crossing the Sierra Nevada into California