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 Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Washington to San Francisco. Left side wins at both ends of the flight. Departure gives you the DC skyline and Potomac corridor, and arrival delivers the full San Francisco Bay panorama with the Bay Bridge and city peninsula. The left side also tracks closer to the Sierra Nevada as the route crosses central California, offering distant views of the high peaks on the eastern horizon during descent.
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. Dulles typically departs westbound on runway 19L/R or eastbound on 01L/R. On westbound departures, the left side gives you a clear view of the DC skyline to the east as you bank, including the Capitol dome and Washington Monument visible on the horizon. On eastbound departures climbing out, the left side tracks along the Potomac River corridor toward the city. Notable sights include: Washington Monument and Capitol dome on the eastern horizon, Potomac River snaking southeast, Blue Ridge Mountains to the west, Tysons Corner urban cluster below.
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/R bring aircraft in from the east over the Bay. The left side of the aircraft faces north, giving you a direct view of San Francisco Bay, the Bay Bridge, and the San Francisco city peninsula as you descend. The right side looks south toward the less scenic South Bay and San Jose sprawl. Notable sights include: San Francisco Bay, Bay Bridge, San Francisco city peninsula and downtown skyline, Marin Headlands across the Golden Gate.
How long is the flight from Washington to San Francisco?
The flight from Washington Dulles International (IAD) to San Francisco International (SFO) takes Approximately 5 hours 30 minutes to 6 hours.
What does the Washington to San Francisco flight path pass over?
The route crosses the Appalachian ridges of West Virginia shortly after departure, then the flat Ohio and Indiana farmland, followed by the Mississippi River near St. Louis, the Great Plains of Kansas and Colorado, the Rocky Mountains including the Colorado Rockies and Wasatch Range in Utah, the Great Basin desert of Nevada, and finally the Sierra Nevada before descending into the Central Valley of California toward the Bay Area.