The left side captures the Southern Alps on departure and the San Francisco Bay skyline on arrival, while the right side offers only open ocean and flat terrain for both segments. The long transpacific cruise keeps both sides capped by hours of featureless water, but the left side's bookend landmarks give it a clear edge.
Flight Path
Open Pacific Ocean with no visible land features for the majority of the cruise phase
Great circle distance and headings ›Phase by phase
Takeoff from CHC
LEFTRunway 02 departures climb north over the Canterbury Plains, and the Southern Alps rise dramatically to the west, putting Mount Cook's range and braided river valleys on the left side of the aircraft. The right side only shows the flat plains fading into the Pacific.
Landing at SFO
LEFTTrans-Pacific arrivals into SFO typically track down the Northern California coast before banking inland toward the bay, giving left-side passengers a view of the San Francisco skyline, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the bay before touchdown. The right side mostly faces the ocean or inland hills with less recognizable scenery.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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See exactly which side of the plane gets sun and shade at your departure time.
About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Christchurch International (CHC) to San Francisco International (SFO)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Christchurch to San Francisco. The left side captures the Southern Alps on departure and the San Francisco Bay skyline on arrival, while the right side offers only open ocean and flat terrain for both segments. The long transpacific cruise keeps both sides capped by hours of featureless water, but the left side's bookend landmarks give it a clear edge.
What can I see during takeoff from Christchurch International in Christchurch?
During takeoff from Christchurch International (CHC), sit on the Left side for the best views. Runway 02 departures climb north over the Canterbury Plains, and the Southern Alps rise dramatically to the west, putting Mount Cook's range and braided river valleys on the left side of the aircraft. The right side only shows the flat plains fading into the Pacific. Notable sights include: Southern Alps, Canterbury Plains, Waimakariri River, Banks 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. Trans-Pacific arrivals into SFO typically track down the Northern California coast before banking inland toward the bay, giving left-side passengers a view of the San Francisco skyline, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the bay before touchdown. The right side mostly faces the ocean or inland hills with less recognizable scenery. Notable sights include: San Francisco skyline, Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco Bay, Marin headlands.
How long is the flight from Christchurch to San Francisco?
The flight from Christchurch International (CHC) to San Francisco International (SFO) takes 12h 25m.
What does the Christchurch to San Francisco flight path pass over?
Open Pacific Ocean with no visible land features for the majority of the cruise phase