Left side wins both ends of the flight. At takeoff you get Norfolk Naval Station and Hampton Roads; on approach you get the San Francisco Bay, the Bay Bridge, and the city skyline. During the transcontinental cruise, the left side also tends to face slightly more northward, offering better views of the Rockies including the Wasatch Range and Sierra Nevada on descent.
Flown ORF to SFO? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Norfolk to San Francisco is 2,514 miles (4,045 km), a flight of about 5 hours 45 minutes.
The flight crosses the Appalachian Mountains over Virginia and West Virginia, then the flat Mississippi River basin over Tennessee and Arkansas. Over Oklahoma and Texas the terrain rises toward the Llano Estacado plateau. The Rockies appear over New Mexico and Colorado with peaks exceeding 14,000 feet. The Great Basin desert of Nevada follows before the Sierra Nevada range signals the final descent into California.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from ORF
LEFTDeparting ORF typically uses runway 5 (northeast) or runway 23 (southwest). On a westbound departure to SFO, aircraft often depart runway 23 heading southwest then turn west, putting the left side over the Elizabeth River, Norfolk Naval Station, and Hampton Roads harbor. The left seat gets the full panorama of the world's largest naval base and the Chesapeake Bay mouth.
Landing at SFO
LEFTSFO's primary arrival runways 28L/28R bring aircraft in from the east over the Bay. On approach from the east, the left side faces north and gets a direct view of the San Francisco Bay, the Bay Bridge, and the San Francisco city skyline. The right side looks south toward the less scenic South Bay and San Jose sprawl.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Norfolk International (ORF) to San Francisco International (SFO)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Norfolk to San Francisco. Left side wins both ends of the flight. At takeoff you get Norfolk Naval Station and Hampton Roads; on approach you get the San Francisco Bay, the Bay Bridge, and the city skyline. During the transcontinental cruise, the left side also tends to face slightly more northward, offering better views of the Rockies including the Wasatch Range and Sierra Nevada on descent.
What can I see during takeoff from Norfolk International in Norfolk?
During takeoff from Norfolk International (ORF), sit on the Left side for the best views. Departing ORF typically uses runway 5 (northeast) or runway 23 (southwest). On a westbound departure to SFO, aircraft often depart runway 23 heading southwest then turn west, putting the left side over the Elizabeth River, Norfolk Naval Station, and Hampton Roads harbor. The left seat gets the full panorama of the world's largest naval base and the Chesapeake Bay mouth. Notable sights include: Norfolk Naval Station (largest in the world), Hampton Roads harbor, Chesapeake Bay mouth, Newport News shipyards across the water.
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/28R bring aircraft in from the east over the Bay. On approach from the east, the left side faces north and gets a direct view of the San Francisco Bay, the Bay Bridge, and the San Francisco city skyline. The right side looks south toward the less scenic South Bay and San Jose sprawl. Notable sights include: San Francisco Bay, San Francisco city skyline and downtown, Bay Bridge, Marin Headlands and Golden Gate visible to the northwest.
How long is the flight from Norfolk to San Francisco?
The flight from Norfolk International (ORF) to San Francisco International (SFO) takes about 5 hours 45 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 2,514 miles (4,045 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Norfolk to San Francisco flight path pass over?
The flight crosses the Appalachian Mountains over Virginia and West Virginia, then the flat Mississippi River basin over Tennessee and Arkansas. Over Oklahoma and Texas the terrain rises toward the Llano Estacado plateau. The Rockies appear over New Mexico and Colorado with peaks exceeding 14,000 feet. The Great Basin desert of Nevada follows before the Sierra Nevada range signals the final descent into California.