Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Guangzhou to San Francisco. Left side wins at both ends of the flight. Over the Pacific the views are largely featureless ocean regardless of side, but the left side delivers the better show at departure over the Pearl River delta and again on approach into SFO over the Bay and San Mateo Bridge.

During takeoff from Baiyun (CAN), sit on the Left side for the best views. Baiyun typically departs north on runway 02L/02R, so the left (west) side gives you a view back over central Guangzhou, the Pearl River delta's intricate waterway network, and Foshan. The right side faces east toward less distinctive suburban sprawl. Notable sights include: Pearl River delta channels and islands, central Guangzhou skyline including Canton Tower, Foshan urban area to the southwest, farmland and fish pond patchwork of the delta lowlands.

When landing at San Francisco International (SFO), sit on the Left side for the best views. SFO's primary arrival from the east uses runways 28L/28R, approaching from the east over the Bay. Left side seats face south, giving a clear view of the South Bay, the San Mateo Bridge, and the Santa Cruz Mountains. Right side faces north toward Oakland and the East Bay hills but the left offers more dramatic water-to-runway geometry. Notable sights include: San Francisco Bay and South Bay shallows, San Mateo Bridge, Santa Cruz Mountains ridge to the south, SFO airport peninsula jutting into the Bay.

The flight from Baiyun (CAN) to San Francisco International (SFO) takes Approximately 11 to 12 hours.

The great circle route tracks northeast from Guangzhou, crossing the South China Sea briefly, then the East China Sea near Japan's Ryukyu Islands, passing south of or over the Japanese archipelago (Kyushu and Honshu may be visible on clear days), then arcing across the North Pacific. The route passes south of the Aleutian Islands chain and crosses the Pacific high-pressure zone with little below but open ocean. The California coast appears near Point Reyes or the Golden Gate area before descent into SFO.