The right side keeps a stronger scenic thread through the whole flight: Baltimore's skyline and harbor at takeoff, likely views of the Rocky Mountains, Great Salt Lake, and Sierra Nevada during cruise, and a dramatic San Francisco Bay and Golden Gate Bridge view on arrival. The left side offers comparatively flat farmland at departure and the less distinctive South Bay suburbs on approach.
Flight Path
Appalachian ridges over West Virginia, the Great Plains of Nebraska, the Rocky Mountains near Wyoming/Colorado, the Great Salt Lake and Utah's Wasatch Range, the high desert basins of Nevada, and the Sierra Nevada before descending into the California Central Valley
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from BWI
RIGHTDeparting BWI on runway 28 (heading roughly 280°), the right side of the aircraft faces almost due north, putting downtown Baltimore's Inner Harbor and skyline in clear view just a few miles away, with the upper Chesapeake Bay and Patapsco River estuary beyond. The left side mostly shows flat Anne Arundel County farmland, with Washington D.C. too far southwest to pick out clearly.
Landing at SFO
RIGHTOn the descent and final turn into SFO, the right side offers sweeping views over San Francisco Bay toward the city's downtown skyline, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Marin Headlands as the aircraft lines up with the runway. The left side instead looks out over the flatter South Bay and San Jose suburbs, which is far less dramatic.
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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 Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Baltimore to San Francisco. The right side keeps a stronger scenic thread through the whole flight: Baltimore's skyline and harbor at takeoff, likely views of the Rocky Mountains, Great Salt Lake, and Sierra Nevada during cruise, and a dramatic San Francisco Bay and Golden Gate Bridge view on arrival. The left side offers comparatively flat farmland at departure and the less distinctive South Bay suburbs on approach.
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 (heading roughly 280°), the right side of the aircraft faces almost due north, putting downtown Baltimore's Inner Harbor and skyline in clear view just a few miles away, with the upper Chesapeake Bay and Patapsco River estuary beyond. The left side mostly shows flat Anne Arundel County farmland, with Washington D.C. too far southwest to pick out clearly. Notable sights include: Downtown Baltimore skyline, Inner Harbor, Patapsco River, upper Chesapeake Bay.
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 and final turn into SFO, the right side offers sweeping views over San Francisco Bay toward the city's downtown skyline, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Marin Headlands as the aircraft lines up with the runway. The left side instead looks out over the flatter South Bay and San Jose suburbs, which is far less dramatic. Notable sights include: San Francisco skyline, Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco Bay, Marin Headlands.
How long is the flight from Baltimore to San Francisco?
The flight from Baltimore Washington International (BWI) to San Francisco International (SFO) takes 5h 45m.
What does the Baltimore to San Francisco flight path pass over?
Appalachian ridges over West Virginia, the Great Plains of Nebraska, the Rocky Mountains near Wyoming/Colorado, the Great Salt Lake and Utah's Wasatch Range, the high desert basins of Nevada, and the Sierra Nevada before descending into the California Central Valley