Once the aircraft settles onto its great-circle track toward Europe, the right side faces south across the route's most dramatic terrain: the Sierra Nevada and Rockies early on, then Hudson Bay, the southern tip of Greenland's ice cap, Iceland's glaciers, and the Scottish Highlands as the track curves east. The left side spends most of the cruise facing the comparatively featureless Canadian Arctic and northern Greenland ice sheet.
Flight Path
Canadian Rockies and prairies, Hudson Bay, southern Greenland ice cap near Nuuk, Iceland's glaciers, Scottish Highlands and Outer Hebrides before crossing the North Sea
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from SFO
LEFTSFO departures on the eastern runways launch southeast over the Bay, then bank left to head north toward the polar route. That turn swings San Francisco's skyline, the Golden Gate, and the Marin Headlands into view on the left, while the right side only shows the flatter East Bay hills.
Landing at AMS
LEFTArrivals into Schiphol from the North Sea swing south toward the runways used for landing, and Amsterdam sits just east of the final approach path. Left-side passengers get a look at the canal rings and IJ waterfront and the checkerboard polders, while the right side mostly faces open North Sea and dune coastline.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from San Francisco International (SFO) to Schiphol (AMS)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from San Francisco to Amsterdam. Once the aircraft settles onto its great-circle track toward Europe, the right side faces south across the route's most dramatic terrain: the Sierra Nevada and Rockies early on, then Hudson Bay, the southern tip of Greenland's ice cap, Iceland's glaciers, and the Scottish Highlands as the track curves east. The left side spends most of the cruise facing the comparatively featureless Canadian Arctic and northern Greenland ice sheet.
What can I see during takeoff from San Francisco International in San Francisco?
During takeoff from San Francisco International (SFO), sit on the Left side for the best views. SFO departures on the eastern runways launch southeast over the Bay, then bank left to head north toward the polar route. That turn swings San Francisco's skyline, the Golden Gate, and the Marin Headlands into view on the left, while the right side only shows the flatter East Bay hills. Notable sights include: San Francisco skyline, Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco Bay, Marin Headlands.
What can I see when landing at Schiphol in Amsterdam?
When landing at Schiphol (AMS), sit on the Left side for the best views. Arrivals into Schiphol from the North Sea swing south toward the runways used for landing, and Amsterdam sits just east of the final approach path. Left-side passengers get a look at the canal rings and IJ waterfront and the checkerboard polders, while the right side mostly faces open North Sea and dune coastline. Notable sights include: Amsterdam canal ring and IJ river, North Sea Canal, Dutch polder farmland, IJsselmeer in the distance.
How long is the flight from San Francisco to Amsterdam?
The flight from San Francisco International (SFO) to Schiphol (AMS) takes 10h 35m.
What does the San Francisco to Amsterdam flight path pass over?
Canadian Rockies and prairies, Hudson Bay, southern Greenland ice cap near Nuuk, Iceland's glaciers, Scottish Highlands and Outer Hebrides before crossing the North Sea