Left side wins both departure and arrival. During the flight itself, the left side also faces south, giving views of the Sierra Nevada, Great Basin, and Rocky Mountain ranges as distant ridgelines on the southern horizon during cruise, making it the consistently better side for the full journey.
Flown SFO to CMH? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
San Francisco to Columbus is 2,115 miles (3,403 km), a flight of about 4 hours 15 minutes.
The route crosses the Sierra Nevada east of Sacramento, then the Great Basin desert of Nevada and Utah with the Bonneville Salt Flats visible as a stark white expanse, then the Rockies over Colorado or Wyoming depending on routing, followed by the flat agricultural plains of Nebraska, Iowa, and Indiana before descending into Ohio.
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 east. A left-side seat gives you San Francisco Bay, the city skyline, and the Bay Bridge as the aircraft banks northeast. The Golden Gate and Marin Headlands are also visible to the northwest on the left side during the turn.
Landing at CMH
LEFTCMH's primary arrival runways (28L/28R) approach from the east, meaning the aircraft descends from the east heading west. A left-side seat on approach gives a view south over downtown Columbus, the Scioto River, and Ohio State University's oval campus, which are all clearly identifiable from pattern altitude.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from San Francisco International (SFO) to Port Columbus International (CMH)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from San Francisco to Columbus. Left side wins both departure and arrival. During the flight itself, the left side also faces south, giving views of the Sierra Nevada, Great Basin, and Rocky Mountain ranges as distant ridgelines on the southern horizon during cruise, making it the consistently better side for the full 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 before turning east. A left-side seat gives you San Francisco Bay, the city skyline, and the Bay Bridge as the aircraft banks northeast. The Golden Gate and Marin Headlands are also visible to the northwest on the left side during the turn. Notable sights include: San Francisco Bay, Bay Bridge, San Francisco city skyline, Marin Headlands.
What can I see when landing at Port Columbus International in Columbus?
When landing at Port Columbus International (CMH), sit on the Left side for the best views. CMH's primary arrival runways (28L/28R) approach from the east, meaning the aircraft descends from the east heading west. A left-side seat on approach gives a view south over downtown Columbus, the Scioto River, and Ohio State University's oval campus, which are all clearly identifiable from pattern altitude. Notable sights include: Downtown Columbus skyline, Scioto River, Ohio State University campus, Olentangy River.
How long is the flight from San Francisco to Columbus?
The flight from San Francisco International (SFO) to Port Columbus International (CMH) takes about 4 hours 15 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 2,115 miles (3,403 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the San Francisco to Columbus flight path pass over?
The route crosses the Sierra Nevada east of Sacramento, then the Great Basin desert of Nevada and Utah with the Bonneville Salt Flats visible as a stark white expanse, then the Rockies over Colorado or Wyoming depending on routing, followed by the flat agricultural plains of Nebraska, Iowa, and Indiana before descending into Ohio.