Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Manila to San Francisco. Correcting the landing side: on approach to SFO runways 28L/28R heading westward, the right side faces north and captures San Francisco Bay, the Bay Bridge, and the city skyline — the most iconic arrival view. At takeoff from Manila, the left side has Manila Bay. Since the SFO arrival view on the right is arguably the flight's visual highlight, and the transpacific cruise over the North Pacific offers little on either side, right seat passengers get the better SFO arrival. Left wins Manila departure, right wins SFO arrival — overall right is the slight edge for the iconic city arrival.

During takeoff from Ninoy Aquino International (MNL), sit on the Left side for the best views. NAIA typically departs northward on Runway 06/24 or 13/31. A northbound or eastbound departure puts Manila Bay on the left (west) side, giving a sweeping view of the bay and the city skyline. The right side faces inland toward Laguna de Bay and the Sierra Madre mountains, which are also scenic but the bay departure is more dramatic. Notable sights include: Manila Bay, Laguna de Bay, Metro Manila city grid, Corregidor Island in the bay mouth.

When landing at San Francisco International (SFO), sit on the Left side for the best views. SFO approaches from the southeast over the bay on runways 28L/28R, meaning the left side faces south toward the San Mateo County peninsula and the Santa Cruz Mountains, while the right side looks north over San Francisco Bay. The left side gives a cleaner view of the bay's southern reach and the peninsula, but the right side actually captures the Bay Bridge, downtown San Francisco, and the East Bay hills. On a standard ILS approach to 28L/28R, right side wins for the city view — correcting: right side is the winner for landing. Notable sights include: San Francisco Bay, Bay Bridge, downtown San Francisco skyline, East Bay hills.

The flight from Ninoy Aquino International (MNL) to San Francisco International (SFO) takes Approximately 12 to 13 hours.

The route tracks northeast from Manila across the Philippine Sea, passing east of Japan and the Kuril Islands, then arcs across the North Pacific along a great circle route. The Aleutian Islands chain may be visible as distant dark volcanic landmasses on clear days near the northern apex of the route. The vast majority of the flight is over open ocean with no significant landmarks. The California coast appears near the end, with the Sierra Nevada visible as a distant snow-capped range on clear days during descent.