Oakland to Atlanta is 2,125 miles (3,420 km), a flight of about 4 hours 15 minutes.
The left side departure view over San Francisco Bay with the city skyline, Bay Bridge, and Alcatraz is one of the most iconic urban aerial views in the country and outweighs the right-side landing advantage at ATL. For the full flight, left also tracks closer to the Sierra Nevada during the climb-out turn southeast.
Flight Path
The flight tracks southeast over the Central Valley of California, crosses the southern Sierra Nevada and into the Mojave Desert, then passes over Arizona and New Mexico high desert terrain including the Colorado Plateau edges. Over Texas the terrain flattens into the southern plains. The Mississippi River is crossed near the Louisiana-Mississippi border region before entering the forested Piedmont of Alabama and Georgia.
Great circle distance and headings ›
.jpg?width=600)
.jpg?width=600)
.jpeg?width=600)
Phase by phase
Takeoff from OAK
LEFTOAK typically departs westward over the Bay on runways 28L/28R, then turns southeast. Left side gives you San Francisco Bay, the city skyline, and the Bay Bridge before the aircraft banks. Right side faces the East Bay hills and suburban sprawl.
Landing at ATL
RIGHTATL typically lands on its south complex runways (9R/10) or north complex approaching from the west, with the aircraft tracking in from the west-southwest. Right side gives a clear view of downtown Atlanta's skyline as you descend over the western suburbs. Left side faces south toward less distinctive terrain.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
Will your flight be in sunlight?
Pick a date and time in the Sun Map to watch the sun move across your whole flight.
About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Metropolitan Oakland International (OAK) to The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International (ATL)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Oakland to Atlanta. The left side departure view over San Francisco Bay with the city skyline, Bay Bridge, and Alcatraz is one of the most iconic urban aerial views in the country and outweighs the right-side landing advantage at ATL. For the full flight, left also tracks closer to the Sierra Nevada during the climb-out turn southeast.
What can I see during takeoff from Metropolitan Oakland International in Oakland?
During takeoff from Metropolitan Oakland International (OAK), sit on the Left side for the best views. OAK typically departs westward over the Bay on runways 28L/28R, then turns southeast. Left side gives you San Francisco Bay, the city skyline, and the Bay Bridge before the aircraft banks. Right side faces the East Bay hills and suburban sprawl. Notable sights include: San Francisco skyline, Bay Bridge, Alcatraz Island, Marin Headlands.
What can I see when landing at The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International in Atlanta?
When landing at The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International (ATL), sit on the Right side for the best views. ATL typically lands on its south complex runways (9R/10) or north complex approaching from the west, with the aircraft tracking in from the west-southwest. Right side gives a clear view of downtown Atlanta's skyline as you descend over the western suburbs. Left side faces south toward less distinctive terrain. Notable sights include: Downtown Atlanta skyline, Stone Mountain (distant to the east), Hartsfield-Jackson airport complex, Chattahoochee River corridor.
How long is the flight from Oakland to Atlanta?
The flight from Metropolitan Oakland International (OAK) to The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International (ATL) takes about 4 hours 15 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 2,125 miles (3,420 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Oakland to Atlanta flight path pass over?
The flight tracks southeast over the Central Valley of California, crosses the southern Sierra Nevada and into the Mojave Desert, then passes over Arizona and New Mexico high desert terrain including the Colorado Plateau edges. Over Texas the terrain flattens into the southern plains. The Mississippi River is crossed near the Louisiana-Mississippi border region before entering the forested Piedmont of Alabama and Georgia.