The right side wins on nearly every phase: a London-view turn after takeoff, a great-circle track that carries the flight near southern Greenland's icefields and the Labrador coast during cruise, and a bay-side approach into SFO with San Francisco's skyline on final descent. The left side spends most of the flight facing open ocean and the less distinctive interior of Canada.
Flown LHR to SFO? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
London to San Francisco is 5,354 miles (8,616 km), a flight of about 11 hours.
Southern tip of Greenland and its coastal icefields near Cape Farewell, the Labrador Sea and Labrador coast, Hudson Bay's southern shoreline, and the boreal forests and lake country of central Canada before the route descends toward the Rockies and Sierra Nevada.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from LHR
RIGHTWesterly departures from LHR climb out over west London before banking right onto the northwesterly track toward Ireland and the North Atlantic. That right turn swings central London, the Thames, and Windsor into view on the right side while the left side mostly sees the climb's sky and Berkshire countryside.
Landing at SFO
RIGHTOn the final approach into SFO from the east, the aircraft tracks in over the bay before landing to the west. The right side faces north across the water toward San Francisco, offering views of the city skyline, the Bay Bridge, and the Golden Gate in the distance, while the left side only shows the flatter Peninsula suburbs.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Heathrow (LHR) to San Francisco International (SFO)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from London to San Francisco. The right side wins on nearly every phase: a London-view turn after takeoff, a great-circle track that carries the flight near southern Greenland's icefields and the Labrador coast during cruise, and a bay-side approach into SFO with San Francisco's skyline on final descent. The left side spends most of the flight facing open ocean and the less distinctive interior of Canada.
What can I see during takeoff from Heathrow in London?
During takeoff from Heathrow (LHR), sit on the Right side for the best views. Westerly departures from LHR climb out over west London before banking right onto the northwesterly track toward Ireland and the North Atlantic. That right turn swings central London, the Thames, and Windsor into view on the right side while the left side mostly sees the climb's sky and Berkshire countryside. Notable sights include: River Thames, Central London skyline (Shard, London Eye), Windsor Castle, Heathrow's surrounding reservoirs.
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 final approach into SFO from the east, the aircraft tracks in over the bay before landing to the west. The right side faces north across the water toward San Francisco, offering views of the city skyline, the Bay Bridge, and the Golden Gate in the distance, while the left side only shows the flatter Peninsula suburbs. Notable sights include: San Francisco skyline, Golden Gate Bridge, Bay Bridge, Alcatraz Island.
How long is the flight from London to San Francisco?
The flight from Heathrow (LHR) to San Francisco International (SFO) takes about 11 hours. The shortest flight path between them is 5,354 miles (8,616 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the London to San Francisco flight path pass over?
Southern tip of Greenland and its coastal icefields near Cape Farewell, the Labrador Sea and Labrador coast, Hudson Bay's southern shoreline, and the boreal forests and lake country of central Canada before the route descends toward the Rockies and Sierra Nevada.