Beijing to San Francisco flight pathPEKSFO

Sit on the left side of the plane

Reverse

Which side of the plane?

Pick the window seat with the view. 13,500 routes answered — landmarks, coastlines and cities, wing by wing.

Flight time11h 05m
Distance5,899
Heading043° → 139°

Beijing to San Francisco is 5,899 miles (9,494 km), a flight of about 11 hours 5 minutes.

Best side
Left
★ 4.0 left·★ 2.0 right

The left side captures the most dramatic terrain of the whole route — the mountains north of Beijing at departure, the volcanic Kamchatka peninsula and Alaska Range during cruise, and the Golden Gate/San Francisco skyline on arrival — while the right side spends most of the flight over the featureless Bering Sea and North Pacific.

Takeoff · PEKLEFTYan Mountains, Great Wall ridge sections, Beijing suburban sprawl
Landing · SFOLEFTGolden Gate Bridge, Marin Headlands, San Francisco skyline

Flight Path

Flight path overview

Mongolian steppe, Lake Baikal region foothills, Kamchatka Peninsula volcanoes, Bering Sea, Alaska Range including Denali

Great circle distance and headings ›

Phase by phase

Aerial window seat view during takeoff from Beijing (left side) — Yan Mountains, Great Wall ridge sections, Beijing suburban sprawl, Mongolian plateau edge

Takeoff from PEK

LEFT

Departures from PEK climb out toward the north before curving onto the great-circle track toward Siberia, giving left-side passengers a view of the rugged Yan Mountains and Great Wall ridgelines north of Beijing before the terrain flattens into Mongolian steppe.

Yan MountainsGreat Wall ridge sectionsBeijing suburban sprawlMongolian plateau edge
Aerial window seat view during landing at San Francisco (left side) — Golden Gate Bridge, Marin Headlands, San Francisco skyline, San Francisco Bay

Landing at SFO

LEFT

Arrivals into SFO from the north typically track down the California coast and turn over the bay to align with the runways, putting the Marin Headlands, Golden Gate Bridge, and San Francisco skyline on the left side during the final descent.

Golden Gate BridgeMarin HeadlandsSan Francisco skylineSan Francisco Bay

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 Capital (PEK) to San Francisco International (SFO)?

Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Beijing to San Francisco. The left side captures the most dramatic terrain of the whole route — the mountains north of Beijing at departure, the volcanic Kamchatka peninsula and Alaska Range during cruise, and the Golden Gate/San Francisco skyline on arrival — while the right side spends most of the flight over the featureless Bering Sea and North Pacific.

What can I see during takeoff from Capital in Beijing?

During takeoff from Capital (PEK), sit on the Left side for the best views. Departures from PEK climb out toward the north before curving onto the great-circle track toward Siberia, giving left-side passengers a view of the rugged Yan Mountains and Great Wall ridgelines north of Beijing before the terrain flattens into Mongolian steppe. Notable sights include: Yan Mountains, Great Wall ridge sections, Beijing suburban sprawl, Mongolian plateau edge.

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. Arrivals into SFO from the north typically track down the California coast and turn over the bay to align with the runways, putting the Marin Headlands, Golden Gate Bridge, and San Francisco skyline on the left side during the final descent. Notable sights include: Golden Gate Bridge, Marin Headlands, San Francisco skyline, San Francisco Bay.

How long is the flight from Beijing to San Francisco?

The flight from Capital (PEK) to San Francisco International (SFO) takes about 11 hours 5 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 5,899 miles (9,494 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.

What does the Beijing to San Francisco flight path pass over?

Mongolian steppe, Lake Baikal region foothills, Kamchatka Peninsula volcanoes, Bering Sea, Alaska Range including Denali