Left-side seats win at both ends of the flight. Departure offers the best bay and city views as the aircraft climbs and turns east, and arrival delivers the Nashville skyline and Cumberland River on approach. During the cruise over Nevada, Utah, and Colorado, left-side passengers also get slightly better angles on the southern Rockies and Colorado Plateau terrain.
Flown SFO to BNA? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
San Francisco to Nashville is 1,964 miles (3,161 km), a flight of about 4 hours.
The flight tracks roughly along the 37th parallel eastbound. Departing the Bay Area, the aircraft crosses the Central Valley, then the Sierra Nevada (notably the high peaks around Lake Tahoe visible to the north). Over Nevada the terrain is Basin and Range desert. Crossing into Utah, the Wasatch Front and Colorado Plateau are visible. Over Colorado the southern Rockies appear. The flight then crosses the flat Oklahoma and Arkansas plains before descending into the Tennessee basin toward Nashville.
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from SFO
LEFTSFO's primary departure runways (28L/28R) head west over the bay before turning, and left-side seats face south toward the San Francisco Peninsula and the bay. As the aircraft climbs and turns eastward, left-side passengers get a sweeping view of the bay, the city skyline, and the peninsula stretching south. Right-side passengers look out over the open Pacific.
Landing at BNA
LEFTBNA's primary arrival runways (02L/02R) bring aircraft in from the south heading north, meaning left-side seats face west toward downtown Nashville. Passengers on the left get a clear view of the Cumberland River bending through the city and the downtown skyline just before touchdown. Right-side seats look east over suburban sprawl.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from San Francisco International (SFO) to Nashville International (BNA)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from San Francisco to Nashville. Left-side seats win at both ends of the flight. Departure offers the best bay and city views as the aircraft climbs and turns east, and arrival delivers the Nashville skyline and Cumberland River on approach. During the cruise over Nevada, Utah, and Colorado, left-side passengers also get slightly better angles on the southern Rockies and Colorado Plateau terrain.
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's primary departure runways (28L/28R) head west over the bay before turning, and left-side seats face south toward the San Francisco Peninsula and the bay. As the aircraft climbs and turns eastward, left-side passengers get a sweeping view of the bay, the city skyline, and the peninsula stretching south. Right-side passengers look out over the open Pacific. Notable sights include: San Francisco Bay, San Francisco city skyline and downtown, San Mateo Bridge, Peninsula hills (Santa Cruz Mountains).
What can I see when landing at Nashville International in Nashville?
When landing at Nashville International (BNA), sit on the Left side for the best views. BNA's primary arrival runways (02L/02R) bring aircraft in from the south heading north, meaning left-side seats face west toward downtown Nashville. Passengers on the left get a clear view of the Cumberland River bending through the city and the downtown skyline just before touchdown. Right-side seats look east over suburban sprawl. Notable sights include: Nashville downtown skyline, Cumberland River, Percy Priest Lake (visible during approach from the east), Nissan Stadium.
How long is the flight from San Francisco to Nashville?
The flight from San Francisco International (SFO) to Nashville International (BNA) takes about 4 hours. The shortest flight path between them is 1,964 miles (3,161 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the San Francisco to Nashville flight path pass over?
The flight tracks roughly along the 37th parallel eastbound. Departing the Bay Area, the aircraft crosses the Central Valley, then the Sierra Nevada (notably the high peaks around Lake Tahoe visible to the north). Over Nevada the terrain is Basin and Range desert. Crossing into Utah, the Wasatch Front and Colorado Plateau are visible. Over Colorado the southern Rockies appear. The flight then crosses the flat Oklahoma and Arkansas plains before descending into the Tennessee basin toward Nashville.