While the right side offers a brief Baltimore skyline view and glimpses of the southern Rockies during cruise, the left side's payoff is the dramatic, low-altitude pass over downtown San Diego, Balboa Park, and the bay on final approach, a genuinely iconic urban landing sequence that outweighs the cruise-phase scenery on the other side.
Flight Path
The route crosses the Appalachian ridges of West Virginia, the farmland of the Ohio and Mississippi valleys, the Great Plains of Kansas, and the southern Rocky Mountains and high plateau country of Colorado and New Mexico before descending over the Sonoran-influenced deserts of Arizona and the mountains east of San Diego.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from BWI
RIGHTDeparting BWI on runway 28, the climb-out banks the aircraft to give right-side passengers a look back at the Baltimore skyline and the upper Chesapeake Bay before the plane settles onto its westward heading over Maryland farmland.
Landing at SAN
LEFTOn the classic approach to SAN runway 27, the aircraft descends over Mission Valley and passes just south of downtown, putting the San Diego skyline, Balboa Park, and San Diego Bay in clear view on the left side as the plane lines up over the water for landing.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Baltimore Washington International (BWI) to San Diego International Lindbergh Fld (SAN)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Baltimore to San Diego. While the right side offers a brief Baltimore skyline view and glimpses of the southern Rockies during cruise, the left side's payoff is the dramatic, low-altitude pass over downtown San Diego, Balboa Park, and the bay on final approach, a genuinely iconic urban landing sequence that outweighs the cruise-phase scenery on the other side.
What can I see during takeoff from Baltimore Washington International in Baltimore?
During takeoff from Baltimore Washington International (BWI), sit on the Right side for the best views. Departing BWI on runway 28, the climb-out banks the aircraft to give right-side passengers a look back at the Baltimore skyline and the upper Chesapeake Bay before the plane settles onto its westward heading over Maryland farmland. Notable sights include: Baltimore downtown skyline, Patapsco River, upper Chesapeake Bay.
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. On the classic approach to SAN runway 27, the aircraft descends over Mission Valley and passes just south of downtown, putting the San Diego skyline, Balboa Park, and San Diego Bay in clear view on the left side as the plane lines up over the water for landing. Notable sights include: Downtown San Diego skyline, Balboa Park, San Diego Bay, Coronado Bridge.
How long is the flight from Baltimore to San Diego?
The flight from Baltimore Washington International (BWI) to San Diego International Lindbergh Fld (SAN) takes 5h 10m.
What does the Baltimore to San Diego flight path pass over?
The route crosses the Appalachian ridges of West Virginia, the farmland of the Ohio and Mississippi valleys, the Great Plains of Kansas, and the southern Rocky Mountains and high plateau country of Colorado and New Mexico before descending over the Sonoran-influenced deserts of Arizona and the mountains east of San Diego.