About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Baltimore Washington International (BWI) to San Francisco International (SFO)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Baltimore to San Francisco. Left side wins at both ends of the flight. At BWI you get the Chesapeake Bay and Baltimore waterfront on departure, and at SFO you get the full San Francisco Bay panorama including the city skyline, Bay Bridge, and Alcatraz on approach. The right side offers little of comparable interest at either airport.
What can I see during takeoff from Baltimore Washington International in Baltimore?
During takeoff from Baltimore Washington International (BWI), sit on the Left side for the best views. BWI's primary departure runway 28L sends aircraft northwest, putting the left side facing south over the Chesapeake Bay and Baltimore's Inner Harbor. You get a clear look at the Bay's broad expanse and the Francis Scott Key Bridge area before turning west. Notable sights include: Chesapeake Bay, Baltimore Inner Harbor, Patapsco River, Annapolis peninsula.
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's primary arrival runways 28L/28R bring aircraft in from the east over the Bay, and the left side faces north toward San Francisco proper, the Bay Bridge, and the city skyline. You get a direct view of the city grid, Alcatraz, and the Golden Gate as you descend over the water. Notable sights include: San Francisco Bay, Bay Bridge, San Francisco city skyline, Alcatraz Island.
How long is the flight from Baltimore to San Francisco?
The flight from Baltimore Washington International (BWI) to San Francisco International (SFO) takes Approximately 5 hours 30 minutes to 6 hours.
What does the Baltimore to San Francisco flight path pass over?
The flight tracks roughly along 38-40N latitude heading west. Notable features include the Appalachian Mountains crossing over West Virginia and Kentucky, the flat agricultural expanse of the Midwest over Indiana and Illinois, the Mississippi River near St. Louis visible as a wide brown ribbon, the Great Plains of Kansas and Colorado, the Rocky Mountains with the Front Range and Colorado Rockies clearly visible, the high desert plateau of Utah and Nevada including the Great Salt Lake as a pale flat expanse, and the Sierra Nevada range before descending into the Central Valley of California.