About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from San Francisco International (SFO) to Baiyun (CAN)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from San Francisco to Guangzhou. Left side wins both ends of the flight. At takeoff you get the full SF Bay panorama and city skyline; on landing you get the Pearl River Delta's dramatic landscape and Guangzhou's urban density. Over the Pacific the views are similar on both sides, but the left seat delivers the two most visually rewarding moments of the journey.
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 then turn northwest. A left/south-facing seat gives you the San Francisco Peninsula, the city skyline, and the Santa Cruz Mountains as you climb out over the bay. You also get a clear look back at the Bay Bridge and downtown SF grid. Notable sights include: San Francisco skyline and downtown grid, Bay Bridge, San Francisco Bay, Santa Cruz Mountains.
What can I see when landing at Baiyun in Guangzhou?
When landing at Baiyun (CAN), sit on the Left side for the best views. CAN's primary arrival runways (02L/02R) approach from the south, meaning the aircraft tracks northward over the Pearl River Delta. A left/west-facing seat gives you the Pearl River's multiple channels, Guangzhou's dense urban core, and the Foshan metropolitan area spreading to the west. The right side faces east toward Dongguan and less distinctive terrain. Notable sights include: Pearl River Delta channels, Guangzhou urban core, Foshan city sprawl, rice paddy and fish pond patchwork of the Delta lowlands.
How long is the flight from San Francisco to Guangzhou?
The flight from San Francisco International (SFO) to Baiyun (CAN) takes Approximately 13 to 14 hours.
What does the San Francisco to Guangzhou flight path pass over?
The route tracks northwest from SFO, crossing the California coast near Point Reyes, then heads across the North Pacific on a great circle arc passing south of the Aleutian Islands chain. The midpoint is over the open North Pacific Ocean roughly 1,000 miles east of Japan. The route then crosses the Japanese archipelago — Honshu is visible below — before descending over the East China Sea and the coast of Fujian province, then tracking southwest over Guangdong toward Guangzhou.