The right side captures Durban's coastal scenery on departure and San Francisco's iconic bay landmarks on arrival, the two most visually rewarding segments of this ultra-long transoceanic and transcontinental routing, while the left side offers mostly featureless ocean and inland terrain for the bulk of the flight.
Flown DUR to SFO? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Durban to San Francisco is 10,821 miles (17,415 km), a flight of about 18 hours 45 minutes.
The great-circle path curves across southern Africa, the South Atlantic Ocean, the coast of Brazil, and Central America before making landfall in Mexico and continuing up into California, with the mid-flight hours dominated by open South Atlantic waters.
Great circle distance and headings ›.jpg?width=600)
.jpeg?width=600)
.jpg?width=600)
Phase by phase
Takeoff from DUR
RIGHTDeparting DUR, the aircraft lifts off over the KwaZulu-Natal coast and banks to join its long westbound track, sweeping the right side of the cabin past Durban's harbor, the Golden Mile beachfront, and the Umhlanga coastline before turning inland. The left side mostly shows sugarcane fields and rolling inland hills with little definition.
Landing at SFO
RIGHTArriving into SFO from the south, the aircraft tracks up the Peninsula before turning west over San Francisco Bay for final approach. Passengers on the right see the San Francisco skyline, the Bay Bridge, and on clear days the Golden Gate Bridge and Marin Headlands, while the left side faces the flatter South Bay and Silicon Valley 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 King Shaka International Airport (DUR) to San Francisco International (SFO)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Durban to San Francisco. The right side captures Durban's coastal scenery on departure and San Francisco's iconic bay landmarks on arrival, the two most visually rewarding segments of this ultra-long transoceanic and transcontinental routing, while the left side offers mostly featureless ocean and inland terrain for the bulk of the flight.
What can I see during takeoff from King Shaka International Airport in Durban?
During takeoff from King Shaka International Airport (DUR), sit on the Right side for the best views. Departing DUR, the aircraft lifts off over the KwaZulu-Natal coast and banks to join its long westbound track, sweeping the right side of the cabin past Durban's harbor, the Golden Mile beachfront, and the Umhlanga coastline before turning inland. The left side mostly shows sugarcane fields and rolling inland hills with little definition. Notable sights include: Durban Harbor, Golden Mile beachfront, Umhlanga coastline, Indian Ocean shoreline.
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. Arriving into SFO from the south, the aircraft tracks up the Peninsula before turning west over San Francisco Bay for final approach. Passengers on the right see the San Francisco skyline, the Bay Bridge, and on clear days the Golden Gate Bridge and Marin Headlands, while the left side faces the flatter South Bay and Silicon Valley suburbs. Notable sights include: San Francisco skyline, Bay Bridge, Golden Gate Bridge, Marin Headlands.
How long is the flight from Durban to San Francisco?
The flight from King Shaka International Airport (DUR) to San Francisco International (SFO) takes about 18 hours 45 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 10,821 miles (17,415 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Durban to San Francisco flight path pass over?
The great-circle path curves across southern Africa, the South Atlantic Ocean, the coast of Brazil, and Central America before making landfall in Mexico and continuing up into California, with the mid-flight hours dominated by open South Atlantic waters.