The left side wins overall. While the right side has the better Dallas departure view, the left side delivers the more dramatic and sustained scenery: the Sangre de Cristo and Sacramento mountain ranges of New Mexico, the Sierra Nevada's eastern escarpment as a long wall of peaks across the horizon, and the spectacular San Francisco Bay arrival. The Sierra Nevada view alone — a 400-mile chain of snow-capped peaks visible for nearly an hour — makes the left side the clear choice for the full flight.
Flown DAL to SFO? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Dallas to San Francisco is 1,473 miles (2,371 km), a flight of about 3 hours 30 minutes.
The route crosses West Texas desert and the Permian Basin, then the Rio Grande near El Paso, the high desert of southern New Mexico including the Sacramento Mountains, the Chihuahuan Desert transition, southern Arizona's Basin and Range terrain with isolated mountain ranges, the Colorado River near Needles, the Mojave Desert, and finally the Sierra Nevada's dramatic eastern escarpment before descending into the Central Valley and crossing the Coast Range into the Bay Area.
Great circle distance and headings ›.jpg?width=600)
.jpg?width=600)
.jpeg?width=600)
Phase by phase
Takeoff from DAL
RIGHTLove Field's primary departure runway 13R sends aircraft southeast before turning west-northwest toward California. The right side gets a clear view over downtown Dallas — the skyline, Reunion Tower, and the Trinity River corridor are all visible during the climbing turn. The left side faces away from the city toward suburban sprawl.
Landing at SFO
LEFTSFO's primary arrival runways 28L and 28R have aircraft approaching from the east over the Bay, giving the left side a spectacular view of San Francisco Bay, the city peninsula, and the Golden Gate. The right side looks south toward the less scenic South Bay and peninsula suburbs.
Will your flight be in sunlight?
Pick a date and time in the Sun Map to watch the sun move across your whole flight.
About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Dallas Love Fld (DAL) to San Francisco International (SFO)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Dallas to San Francisco. The left side wins overall. While the right side has the better Dallas departure view, the left side delivers the more dramatic and sustained scenery: the Sangre de Cristo and Sacramento mountain ranges of New Mexico, the Sierra Nevada's eastern escarpment as a long wall of peaks across the horizon, and the spectacular San Francisco Bay arrival. The Sierra Nevada view alone — a 400-mile chain of snow-capped peaks visible for nearly an hour — makes the left side the clear choice for the full flight.
What can I see during takeoff from Dallas Love Fld in Dallas?
During takeoff from Dallas Love Fld (DAL), sit on the Right side for the best views. Love Field's primary departure runway 13R sends aircraft southeast before turning west-northwest toward California. The right side gets a clear view over downtown Dallas — the skyline, Reunion Tower, and the Trinity River corridor are all visible during the climbing turn. The left side faces away from the city toward suburban sprawl. Notable sights include: Downtown Dallas skyline with Reunion Tower, Trinity River floodplain, White Rock Lake to the east, sprawling DFW metroplex grid.
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 and 28R have aircraft approaching from the east over the Bay, giving the left side a spectacular view of San Francisco Bay, the city peninsula, and the Golden Gate. The right side looks south toward the less scenic South Bay and peninsula suburbs. Notable sights include: San Francisco Bay, San Francisco city peninsula and downtown skyline, Golden Gate Bridge, Marin Headlands.
How long is the flight from Dallas to San Francisco?
The flight from Dallas Love Fld (DAL) to San Francisco International (SFO) takes about 3 hours 30 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 1,473 miles (2,371 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Dallas to San Francisco flight path pass over?
The route crosses West Texas desert and the Permian Basin, then the Rio Grande near El Paso, the high desert of southern New Mexico including the Sacramento Mountains, the Chihuahuan Desert transition, southern Arizona's Basin and Range terrain with isolated mountain ranges, the Colorado River near Needles, the Mojave Desert, and finally the Sierra Nevada's dramatic eastern escarpment before descending into the Central Valley and crossing the Coast Range into the Bay Area.