Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from San Diego to Munich. The right side wins at takeoff for San Diego harbor views, but the left side delivers the more dramatic and sustained experience: Greenland's ice sheet, the Alps on approach, and Munich's layout. For the full journey, left is the stronger pick.

During takeoff from San Diego International Lindbergh Fld (SAN), sit on the Right side for the best views. SAN's primary runway 27 sends aircraft westward over Mission Bay and the Pacific, but the right side faces north toward downtown San Diego, the harbor, and Point Loma. Departures curving north give the right side a sweeping view of the city skyline, Coronado Island, and San Diego Bay. Notable sights include: San Diego Bay and Coronado Island, downtown San Diego skyline, Point Loma peninsula, Mission Bay.

When landing at Munich (MUC), sit on the Left side for the best views. MUC sits north of Munich and typically lands from the east on runway 26, meaning the aircraft approaches from the east heading west. The left side faces south toward Munich city center, the Isar River valley, and on clear days the Bavarian Alps stretching across the horizon 50-60 miles away. Notable sights include: Munich city center and Marienplatz area, Isar River valley, Bavarian Alps on the southern horizon, English Garden (Englischer Garten).

The flight from San Diego International Lindbergh Fld (SAN) to Munich (MUC) takes Approximately 11-12 hours.

The polar great circle route crosses the Sierra Nevada and Rocky Mountains shortly after departure, then tracks over the Great Plains and the Great Lakes region. The flight crosses the North Atlantic, often passing south of Greenland where the ice cap and fjord coastline are visible. Over Europe the route descends across the Rhine valley and southern Germany before reaching Munich.