Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from San Francisco to Anchorage. Left side wins both ends of the flight. During the cruise over the Gulf of Alaska and the Alaska coastline, the left side also faces south toward the open Pacific and the rugged coastal mountain ranges of British Columbia and Southeast Alaska, which are more visually interesting than the open ocean view on the right.

During takeoff from San Francisco International (SFO), sit on the Left side for the best views. SFO's primary departures head northwest or north over the Bay. Left side gives you San Francisco city, the Bay Bridge, and the Golden Gate Bridge as you climb out over the water. Right side faces east toward the East Bay hills and Oakland, which is less dramatic. Notable sights include: Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco downtown skyline, Marin Headlands, Angel Island.

When landing at Elmendorf Afb (EDF), sit on the Left side for the best views. Elmendorf approaches typically come in from the south or east. Left side on approach gives you Cook Inlet, the Alaska Range with Denali visible on clear days to the northwest, and the Chugach Mountains framing Anchorage. Right side faces east toward the Chugach range but misses the dramatic inlet and city layout. Notable sights include: Cook Inlet, Chugach Mountains, Knik Arm, Anchorage city grid.

The flight from San Francisco International (SFO) to Elmendorf Afb (EDF) takes Approximately 3.5 to 4 hours.

The flight tracks northwest over the Pacific Coast, crossing the Oregon and Washington coastlines, then the British Columbia coast with its fjords and the Coast Mountains. Over Southeast Alaska, the St. Elias Mountains and Wrangell-St. Elias ranges are visible, including some of the largest non-polar glaciers in the world such as the Malaspina Glacier. The Kenai Peninsula and the outer edge of Cook Inlet mark the final descent into Anchorage.