Left side wins both ends of the flight. At takeoff you get the São Paulo metro and Serra da Cantareira; on arrival you get the full San Francisco Bay panorama with the city, Bay Bridge, and distant Golden Gate. The right side offers little of comparable interest at either airport.
Flown GRU to SFO? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Sao Paulo to San Francisco is 6,479 miles (10,427 km), a flight of about 13 hours 30 minutes.
The route tracks northwest over the Amazon Basin — a vast, largely featureless canopy from altitude — then crosses the Caribbean Sea north of Colombia and Venezuela, where island chains of the Lesser and Greater Antilles may be visible on clear days. The flight then crosses Central America, the Gulf of Mexico, and enters the US over Mexico's Pacific coast before tracking up the Baja California Peninsula. The Sierra Nevada range in California may be visible to the east on the final descent into the Bay Area.
Great circle distance and headings ›
Phase by phase
Takeoff from GRU
LEFTGRU departures on runway 09R/27L or 10R/28L typically head northwest toward the interior. The left side gives you a view back over the Serra da Cantareira hills north of São Paulo and the sprawling urban grid of the city itself as you bank. The right side faces industrial zones and flat terrain toward Guarulhos.
Landing at SFO
LEFTSFO's primary arrival runways 28L/28R bring aircraft in from the east over the Bay. On left side seats you get a direct view of the San Francisco Bay, the city peninsula, and the Golden Gate as you descend over the water. Right side faces south toward the Peninsula suburbs and the Santa Cruz Mountains.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Guarulhos (GRU) to San Francisco International (SFO)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Sao Paulo to San Francisco. Left side wins both ends of the flight. At takeoff you get the São Paulo metro and Serra da Cantareira; on arrival you get the full San Francisco Bay panorama with the city, Bay Bridge, and distant Golden Gate. The right side offers little of comparable interest at either airport.
What can I see during takeoff from Guarulhos in Sao Paulo?
During takeoff from Guarulhos (GRU), sit on the Left side for the best views. GRU departures on runway 09R/27L or 10R/28L typically head northwest toward the interior. The left side gives you a view back over the Serra da Cantareira hills north of São Paulo and the sprawling urban grid of the city itself as you bank. The right side faces industrial zones and flat terrain toward Guarulhos. Notable sights include: Serra da Cantareira (forested ridge north of São Paulo), São Paulo city center skyline to the southwest, Billings and Guarapiranga reservoirs visible to the south on clear days, Tietê River valley cutting through the metro area.
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/28R bring aircraft in from the east over the Bay. On left side seats you get a direct view of the San Francisco Bay, the city peninsula, and the Golden Gate as you descend over the water. Right side faces south toward the Peninsula suburbs and the Santa Cruz Mountains. Notable sights include: San Francisco Bay and its eastern shoreline, San Francisco city peninsula and downtown skyline, Golden Gate Bridge visible to the northwest, San Mateo-Hayward Bridge to the south.
How long is the flight from Sao Paulo to San Francisco?
The flight from Guarulhos (GRU) to San Francisco International (SFO) takes about 13 hours 30 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 6,479 miles (10,427 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Sao Paulo to San Francisco flight path pass over?
The route tracks northwest over the Amazon Basin — a vast, largely featureless canopy from altitude — then crosses the Caribbean Sea north of Colombia and Venezuela, where island chains of the Lesser and Greater Antilles may be visible on clear days. The flight then crosses Central America, the Gulf of Mexico, and enters the US over Mexico's Pacific coast before tracking up the Baja California Peninsula. The Sierra Nevada range in California may be visible to the east on the final descent into the Bay Area.