The right side benefits from a rare glimpse of southern Greenland's ice cap and fjords during cruise, plus a scenic Frankfurt skyline departure and a Golden Gate Bridge/bay arrival, while the left side mostly faces open ocean and flatter Canadian terrain with a less dramatic South Bay landing view.
Flight Path
Southern Greenland's ice cap and fjords, the Labrador Sea, Hudson Bay and the Canadian Shield's lake-dotted terrain, followed by the Rocky Mountains and Sierra Nevada as the route curves southwest into California
Great circle distance and headings ›
.jpg?width=600)
Phase by phase
Takeoff from FRA
RIGHTDeparting FRA on the westerly runway configuration, the aircraft climbs out and banks toward its northwesterly track, putting Frankfurt's skyline and the Taunus hills on the right side. The left side mostly shows the flatter Rhine-Main farmland toward Darmstadt with less definition.
Landing at SFO
RIGHTOn approach into SFO the aircraft crosses San Francisco Bay before lining up on the runway, giving the right side clear views of the San Francisco skyline, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Marin headlands. The left side instead looks out over the flatter South Bay and Silicon Valley suburbs.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
Will your flight be in sunlight?
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 Frankfurt Main (FRA) to San Francisco International (SFO)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Frankfurt to San Francisco. The right side benefits from a rare glimpse of southern Greenland's ice cap and fjords during cruise, plus a scenic Frankfurt skyline departure and a Golden Gate Bridge/bay arrival, while the left side mostly faces open ocean and flatter Canadian terrain with a less dramatic South Bay landing view.
What can I see during takeoff from Frankfurt Main in Frankfurt?
During takeoff from Frankfurt Main (FRA), sit on the Right side for the best views. Departing FRA on the westerly runway configuration, the aircraft climbs out and banks toward its northwesterly track, putting Frankfurt's skyline and the Taunus hills on the right side. The left side mostly shows the flatter Rhine-Main farmland toward Darmstadt with less definition. Notable sights include: Frankfurt skyline (Commerzbank Tower, Messeturm), Taunus hills, Rhine-Main river plain.
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. On approach into SFO the aircraft crosses San Francisco Bay before lining up on the runway, giving the right side clear views of the San Francisco skyline, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Marin headlands. The left side instead looks out over the flatter South Bay and Silicon Valley suburbs. Notable sights include: San Francisco skyline, Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco Bay, Marin Headlands.
How long is the flight from Frankfurt to San Francisco?
The flight from Frankfurt Main (FRA) to San Francisco International (SFO) takes 11h 05m.
What does the Frankfurt to San Francisco flight path pass over?
Southern Greenland's ice cap and fjords, the Labrador Sea, Hudson Bay and the Canadian Shield's lake-dotted terrain, followed by the Rocky Mountains and Sierra Nevada as the route curves southwest into California