Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from San Francisco to Anchorage. The left side captures the spectacular San Francisco Bay departure and, crucially, faces south and east along the Alaska coast during the flight, giving views of the Gulf of Alaska coastline, the St. Elias Mountains, and the Kenai Peninsula as you descend toward Anchorage. The right side has a better landing approach view but the left wins on total scenic value across the full flight.

During takeoff from San Francisco International (SFO), sit on the Left side for the best views. SFO's primary departure runways (28L/28R) head west then aircraft turn northward, putting the left side facing east toward the Bay. You get a clear view of the San Francisco Bay, the Bay Bridge, and downtown San Francisco as the aircraft climbs and banks north. Notable sights include: San Francisco Bay, Bay Bridge, downtown San Francisco skyline, Mount Tamalpais to the north.

When landing at Ted Stevens Anchorage International (ANC), sit on the Right side for the best views. Anchorage approaches typically come in from the south or east on runways 06L/06R or 32, and the right side faces west toward Cook Inlet and the Alaska Range. You get a dramatic view of the Chugach Mountains on the left and Cook Inlet with Denali visible on clear days to the right. Notable sights include: Cook Inlet, Chugach Mountains, Knik Arm, downtown Anchorage grid.

The flight from San Francisco International (SFO) to Ted Stevens Anchorage International (ANC) takes Approximately 5 hours 30 minutes.

The route tracks up the Pacific Coast over northern California, Oregon, and Washington, then crosses into British Columbia and the Alaska Panhandle. Notable features include the Coast Mountains of BC, the St. Elias Range with Mount Logan and surrounding icefields visible on clear days, the vast Wrangell-St. Elias wilderness, the Kenai Peninsula, and the final descent over Turnagain Arm into Anchorage.