Jackson to San Francisco is 1,856 miles (2,986 km), a flight of about 4 hours 30 minutes.
Left side wins both ends of the flight. During the cruise over Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, the left side also offers better views of the southern Rockies and desert basin-and-range terrain as the route tracks northwest. Right side gets more featureless Gulf Coast plain early in the flight.
Flight Path
The route crosses the Mississippi Delta, then tracks over eastern Texas and Dallas-Fort Worth metro area, continues over west Texas desert and the Permian Basin, crosses the Sacramento Mountains and Guadalupe Mountains of New Mexico, then traverses the Sonoran and Mojave Desert basin-and-range terrain of Arizona and southeastern California, passes near the Sierra Nevada foothills before descending into the Bay Area
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from JAN
LEFTJackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International typically departs westbound on runway 16/34 or 18/36. A left-side seat during a westbound or northwestbound departure gives you a view back over the Pearl River and the downtown Jackson skyline as the aircraft banks toward its cruise heading.
Landing at SFO
LEFTSFO's most common arrival paths from the east bring aircraft over the Bay Area from the east or southeast, typically landing on runways 28L/28R heading westward. A left-side seat on approach gives a clear view of the San Francisco Bay, the city peninsula, and the Golden Gate Bridge to the north.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Jackson International (JAN) to San Francisco International (SFO)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Jackson to San Francisco. Left side wins both ends of the flight. During the cruise over Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, the left side also offers better views of the southern Rockies and desert basin-and-range terrain as the route tracks northwest. Right side gets more featureless Gulf Coast plain early in the flight.
What can I see during takeoff from Jackson International in Jackson?
During takeoff from Jackson International (JAN), sit on the Left side for the best views. Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International typically departs westbound on runway 16/34 or 18/36. A left-side seat during a westbound or northwestbound departure gives you a view back over the Pearl River and the downtown Jackson skyline as the aircraft banks toward its cruise heading. Notable sights include: Pearl River floodplain, downtown Jackson skyline, Ross Barnett Reservoir to the north, flat Mississippi Delta farmland patchwork.
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 most common arrival paths from the east bring aircraft over the Bay Area from the east or southeast, typically landing on runways 28L/28R heading westward. A left-side seat on approach gives a clear view of the San Francisco Bay, the city peninsula, and the Golden Gate Bridge to the north. Notable sights include: San Francisco Bay, San Francisco city peninsula, Golden Gate Bridge (distant, to the north), San Mateo-Hayward Bridge.
How long is the flight from Jackson to San Francisco?
The flight from Jackson International (JAN) to San Francisco International (SFO) takes about 4 hours 30 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 1,856 miles (2,986 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Jackson to San Francisco flight path pass over?
The route crosses the Mississippi Delta, then tracks over eastern Texas and Dallas-Fort Worth metro area, continues over west Texas desert and the Permian Basin, crosses the Sacramento Mountains and Guadalupe Mountains of New Mexico, then traverses the Sonoran and Mojave Desert basin-and-range terrain of Arizona and southeastern California, passes near the Sierra Nevada foothills before descending into the Bay Area