While the takeoff briefly favors the left side's Blue Ridge view, the right side dominates the rest of the flight with the Rocky Mountains, Great Salt Lake, and Sierra Nevada during cruise, followed by a dramatic San Francisco Bay arrival.
Flown IAD to SFO? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Washington to San Francisco is 2,413 miles (3,883 km), a flight of about 5 hours 50 minutes.
The route's midpoint lies near the Wyoming-Nebraska border, where the flight passes north of Denver along the eastern edge of the Rocky Mountains' Front Range before crossing the high plains toward the Great Basin.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from IAD
LEFTAs the aircraft climbs out of Dulles and turns west, the left side looks south across the Piedmont toward the Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah Valley, a much more textured view than the flatter Maryland countryside on the right.
Landing at SFO
RIGHTOn the descent into SFO the aircraft crosses the Sierra Nevada and Central Valley before sweeping over San Francisco Bay; the right side faces north and catches the San Francisco skyline, the Bay Bridge, and the Golden Gate Bridge as the plane lines up for landing.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Washington Dulles International (IAD) to San Francisco International (SFO)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Washington to San Francisco. While the takeoff briefly favors the left side's Blue Ridge view, the right side dominates the rest of the flight with the Rocky Mountains, Great Salt Lake, and Sierra Nevada during cruise, followed by a dramatic San Francisco Bay arrival.
What can I see during takeoff from Washington Dulles International in Washington?
During takeoff from Washington Dulles International (IAD), sit on the Left side for the best views. As the aircraft climbs out of Dulles and turns west, the left side looks south across the Piedmont toward the Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah Valley, a much more textured view than the flatter Maryland countryside on the right. Notable sights include: Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah Valley, Massanutten Mountain ridge.
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 the descent into SFO the aircraft crosses the Sierra Nevada and Central Valley before sweeping over San Francisco Bay; the right side faces north and catches the San Francisco skyline, the Bay Bridge, and the Golden Gate Bridge as the plane lines up for landing. Notable sights include: San Francisco Bay, San Francisco skyline, Golden Gate Bridge, Bay Bridge/Oakland shoreline.
How long is the flight from Washington to San Francisco?
The flight from Washington Dulles International (IAD) to San Francisco International (SFO) takes about 5 hours 50 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 2,413 miles (3,883 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Washington to San Francisco flight path pass over?
The route's midpoint lies near the Wyoming-Nebraska border, where the flight passes north of Denver along the eastern edge of the Rocky Mountains' Front Range before crossing the high plains toward the Great Basin.