While the right side wins at departure for the Pittsburgh river confluence, the left side dominates for the majority of the flight. Over the Rockies, the left side faces south and gets better views of the Colorado Rockies and Sierra Nevada approaches. The San Francisco Bay arrival on the left is one of the most spectacular urban approaches in the US, making left the clear overall winner.
Flown PIT to SFO? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Pittsburgh to San Francisco is 2,248 miles (3,618 km), a flight of about 5 hours 30 minutes.
The flight crosses the Allegheny Plateau and Ohio flatlands early, then the Mississippi River near St. Louis is visible as a broad brown ribbon. The Great Plains of Kansas and Colorado follow, then the Rocky Mountains appear with the Front Range near Denver, the Colorado Rockies including the Sawatch and Elk ranges, the high desert of Utah and Nevada's Basin and Range terrain with parallel north-south mountain ridges, and finally the Sierra Nevada before descending into the Central Valley of California toward the Bay Area.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from PIT
RIGHTPIT's primary departure runway 28R sends aircraft westward before turning northwest, and the right side gets a clear view back over downtown Pittsburgh, the confluence of the three rivers (Allegheny, Monongahela, Ohio), and the city's distinctive triangular Point State Park. The left side faces mostly suburban sprawl toward the airport's landside.
Landing at SFO
LEFTSFO's primary arrival runways 28L/28R bring aircraft in from the east over the Bay Area, and the left side faces north, giving a sweeping view of San Francisco Bay, the Bay Bridge, the San Francisco city peninsula, and Alcatraz Island. The right side looks south over the less scenic South Bay and suburban sprawl of the Peninsula.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Pittsburgh International (PIT) to San Francisco International (SFO)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Pittsburgh to San Francisco. While the right side wins at departure for the Pittsburgh river confluence, the left side dominates for the majority of the flight. Over the Rockies, the left side faces south and gets better views of the Colorado Rockies and Sierra Nevada approaches. The San Francisco Bay arrival on the left is one of the most spectacular urban approaches in the US, making left the clear overall winner.
What can I see during takeoff from Pittsburgh International in Pittsburgh?
During takeoff from Pittsburgh International (PIT), sit on the Right side for the best views. PIT's primary departure runway 28R sends aircraft westward before turning northwest, and the right side gets a clear view back over downtown Pittsburgh, the confluence of the three rivers (Allegheny, Monongahela, Ohio), and the city's distinctive triangular Point State Park. The left side faces mostly suburban sprawl toward the airport's landside. Notable sights include: Point State Park and the three-rivers confluence, downtown Pittsburgh skyline, the Ohio River valley heading northwest, Allegheny River corridor.
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 Area, and the left side faces north, giving a sweeping view of San Francisco Bay, the Bay Bridge, the San Francisco city peninsula, and Alcatraz Island. The right side looks south over the less scenic South Bay and suburban sprawl of the Peninsula. Notable sights include: San Francisco Bay, Bay Bridge (Oakland Bay Bridge), San Francisco city skyline and peninsula, Alcatraz Island.
How long is the flight from Pittsburgh to San Francisco?
The flight from Pittsburgh International (PIT) to San Francisco International (SFO) takes about 5 hours 30 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 2,248 miles (3,618 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Pittsburgh to San Francisco flight path pass over?
The flight crosses the Allegheny Plateau and Ohio flatlands early, then the Mississippi River near St. Louis is visible as a broad brown ribbon. The Great Plains of Kansas and Colorado follow, then the Rocky Mountains appear with the Front Range near Denver, the Colorado Rockies including the Sawatch and Elk ranges, the high desert of Utah and Nevada's Basin and Range terrain with parallel north-south mountain ridges, and finally the Sierra Nevada before descending into the Central Valley of California toward the Bay Area.