The left side captures the two most distinctive visual moments of the trip: San Francisco Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge at departure, and a rare glimpse of the Himalayan foothills beyond Delhi's sprawl on arrival. The right side mostly faces suburban Peninsula terrain at takeoff and flat Haryana farmland at landing, with no comparable landmark payoff.
Flown SFO to DEL? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
San Francisco to Delhi is 7,694 miles (12,382 km), a flight of about 15 hours 45 minutes.
The route follows a polar great-circle path north over the Cascade Range and British Columbia's coastal mountains, across the Yukon and Alaska Range near Denali, over the Arctic Ocean ice pack, then south across Siberian tundra and the Central Asian steppe of Kazakhstan before crossing the Hindu Kush foothills into the Indo-Gangetic plain approaching Delhi.
Great circle distance and headings ›
.jpg?width=600)
Phase by phase
Takeoff from SFO
LEFTSFO departures head east-southeast over the Bay before turning north toward Sacramento, and during that turn the left side faces back toward San Francisco. Passengers get a sweeping view of the city skyline, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Marin Headlands before the coastline disappears behind the climb.
Landing at DEL
LEFTArrivals into Delhi typically approach from the west and land heading east on the 11-side runways, putting the left side of the aircraft facing north. On exceptionally clear days, especially in winter, the snow-capped Himalayan foothills are faintly visible far to the north beyond the Haryana plains, while the Yamuna River and Delhi's sprawling grid come into view directly below.
Will your flight be in sunlight?
Pick a date and time in the Sun Map to watch the sun move across your whole flight.
About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from San Francisco International (SFO) to Indira Gandhi International (DEL)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from San Francisco to Delhi. The left side captures the two most distinctive visual moments of the trip: San Francisco Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge at departure, and a rare glimpse of the Himalayan foothills beyond Delhi's sprawl on arrival. The right side mostly faces suburban Peninsula terrain at takeoff and flat Haryana farmland at landing, with no comparable landmark payoff.
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 head east-southeast over the Bay before turning north toward Sacramento, and during that turn the left side faces back toward San Francisco. Passengers get a sweeping view of the city skyline, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Marin Headlands before the coastline disappears behind the climb. Notable sights include: San Francisco skyline, Golden Gate Bridge, Marin Headlands, San Francisco Bay.
What can I see when landing at Indira Gandhi International in Delhi?
When landing at Indira Gandhi International (DEL), sit on the Left side for the best views. Arrivals into Delhi typically approach from the west and land heading east on the 11-side runways, putting the left side of the aircraft facing north. On exceptionally clear days, especially in winter, the snow-capped Himalayan foothills are faintly visible far to the north beyond the Haryana plains, while the Yamuna River and Delhi's sprawling grid come into view directly below. Notable sights include: Yamuna River, Delhi urban sprawl, distant Himalayan foothills (clear days), Haryana farmland patchwork.
How long is the flight from San Francisco to Delhi?
The flight from San Francisco International (SFO) to Indira Gandhi International (DEL) takes about 15 hours 45 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 7,694 miles (12,382 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the San Francisco to Delhi flight path pass over?
The route follows a polar great-circle path north over the Cascade Range and British Columbia's coastal mountains, across the Yukon and Alaska Range near Denali, over the Arctic Ocean ice pack, then south across Siberian tundra and the Central Asian steppe of Kazakhstan before crossing the Hindu Kush foothills into the Indo-Gangetic plain approaching Delhi.