While left offers excellent Icelandic departure views, right side dominates the longer portion of the flight and provides the most visually distinctive landing sequence over the San Francisco Bay Area and Santa Cruz Mountains.
Flown RKV to NUQ? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Reykjavik to Mountain View is 4,210 miles (6,775 km), a flight of about 8 hours 25 minutes.
The flight crosses the North Atlantic at high altitude with few visible landmarks; the Greenland ice sheet may be visible to the north depending on exact routing, followed by the Canadian Arctic archipelago and northern Great Lakes region. Most of the transatlantic portion occurs over open ocean with no distinctive surface features visible.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from RKV
LEFTLeft side offers immediate views of Reykjavik's harbor, the Öxarfjörður inlet system, and the volcanic plateau terrain extending northeast. Right side faces open Atlantic with minimal landmarks during initial climb.
Landing at NUQ
RIGHTRight side provides views of the San Francisco Bay Area's geography during descent into Moffett Field. You'll see the southern bay shoreline, the Santa Cruz Mountains, and urban sprawl of Silicon Valley. Left side faces inland hills with less distinctive landmarks.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Reykjavik (RKV) to Moffett Federal Afld (NUQ)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Reykjavik to Mountain View. While left offers excellent Icelandic departure views, right side dominates the longer portion of the flight and provides the most visually distinctive landing sequence over the San Francisco Bay Area and Santa Cruz Mountains.
What can I see during takeoff from Reykjavik in Reykjavik?
During takeoff from Reykjavik (RKV), sit on the Left side for the best views. Left side offers immediate views of Reykjavik's harbor, the Öxarfjörður inlet system, and the volcanic plateau terrain extending northeast. Right side faces open Atlantic with minimal landmarks during initial climb. Notable sights include: Reykjavik city and harbor, Öxarfjörður fjord system, volcanic lava fields of the Reykjanes Peninsula, Mount Esja to the northeast.
What can I see when landing at Moffett Federal Afld in Mountain View?
When landing at Moffett Federal Afld (NUQ), sit on the Right side for the best views. Right side provides views of the San Francisco Bay Area's geography during descent into Moffett Field. You'll see the southern bay shoreline, the Santa Cruz Mountains, and urban sprawl of Silicon Valley. Left side faces inland hills with less distinctive landmarks. Notable sights include: San Francisco Bay (southern arm), Santa Cruz Mountains, San Jose urban area, Diablo Range foothills.
How long is the flight from Reykjavik to Mountain View?
The flight from Reykjavik (RKV) to Moffett Federal Afld (NUQ) takes about 8 hours 25 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 4,210 miles (6,775 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Reykjavik to Mountain View flight path pass over?
The flight crosses the North Atlantic at high altitude with few visible landmarks; the Greenland ice sheet may be visible to the north depending on exact routing, followed by the Canadian Arctic archipelago and northern Great Lakes region. Most of the transatlantic portion occurs over open ocean with no distinctive surface features visible.