The right side wins overall because the Delhi departure offers genuinely dramatic urban and river scenery over a major world city, and during the polar routing over Central Asia and the North Pacific, the right side faces south and picks up better light and occasional views of mountain ranges including the Tian Shan and Altai. The landing advantage on the left is real but brief.
Flight Path
The route typically tracks northwest from Delhi over Pakistan's Punjab plains, then across Afghanistan and the Hindu Kush mountains, over the Caspian Sea region or Central Asian steppes, across the Tian Shan and Altai mountain ranges into Siberia, then a long Pacific crossing over the Aleutian Island chain before descending into California. The Aleutian Islands are occasionally visible as dark volcanic arcs in the gray North Pacific. The Hindu Kush and Tian Shan offer the most dramatic mountain scenery if overflown in daylight, though much of the polar segment occurs at night.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from DEL
RIGHTIGI Airport's primary departure runway 28 sends aircraft westward, putting the right side facing north toward Old Delhi's dense urban grid, the Yamuna River, and the Red Fort area. As the aircraft climbs and banks northwest toward the polar route, the right side also picks up the Aravalli Ridge and the broader Delhi NCR sprawl.
Landing at SFO
LEFTSFO's primary landing approach on runways 28L/28R comes in from the east over the Bay, putting the left side facing south toward the San Francisco Peninsula, the city skyline, and the Bay Bridge. The right side faces north toward the East Bay hills, which are less visually dramatic for a first-time viewer.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Indira Gandhi International (DEL) to San Francisco International (SFO)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Delhi to San Francisco. The right side wins overall because the Delhi departure offers genuinely dramatic urban and river scenery over a major world city, and during the polar routing over Central Asia and the North Pacific, the right side faces south and picks up better light and occasional views of mountain ranges including the Tian Shan and Altai. The landing advantage on the left is real but brief.
What can I see during takeoff from Indira Gandhi International in Delhi?
During takeoff from Indira Gandhi International (DEL), sit on the Right side for the best views. IGI Airport's primary departure runway 28 sends aircraft westward, putting the right side facing north toward Old Delhi's dense urban grid, the Yamuna River, and the Red Fort area. As the aircraft climbs and banks northwest toward the polar route, the right side also picks up the Aravalli Ridge and the broader Delhi NCR sprawl. Notable sights include: Yamuna River snaking through east Delhi, Red Fort and Old Delhi urban core, Aravalli Ridge to the southwest, Connaught Place central business district.
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 landing approach on runways 28L/28R comes in from the east over the Bay, putting the left side facing south toward the San Francisco Peninsula, the city skyline, and the Bay Bridge. The right side faces north toward the East Bay hills, which are less visually dramatic for a first-time viewer. Notable sights include: San Francisco Bay, San Francisco city skyline and downtown, San Mateo Bridge to the south, Peninsula cities of Burlingame and San Mateo below.
How long is the flight from Delhi to San Francisco?
The flight from Indira Gandhi International (DEL) to San Francisco International (SFO) takes Approximately 14 to 16 hours depending on winds and routing.
What does the Delhi to San Francisco flight path pass over?
The route typically tracks northwest from Delhi over Pakistan's Punjab plains, then across Afghanistan and the Hindu Kush mountains, over the Caspian Sea region or Central Asian steppes, across the Tian Shan and Altai mountain ranges into Siberia, then a long Pacific crossing over the Aleutian Island chain before descending into California. The Aleutian Islands are occasionally visible as dark volcanic arcs in the gray North Pacific. The Hindu Kush and Tian Shan offer the most dramatic mountain scenery if overflown in daylight, though much of the polar segment occurs at night.