The left side wins overall. The San Francisco departure view is genuinely spectacular with the bay and city, and as the flight tracks south through Central America and along the western edge of South America, the left side occasionally offers Andean peaks in the distance during the Chilean segment. The EZE arrival is slightly better on the right, but the takeoff experience on the left is the highlight of this route.
Flown SFO to EZE? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
San Francisco to Buenos Aires is 6,464 miles (10,402 km), a flight of about 14 hours.
The route tracks south over the Pacific Ocean off the Central American coast, then crosses northern South America near Ecuador or Colombia depending on routing. The Andes cordillera runs parallel to the left side of the aircraft through Peru and Chile, with high volcanic peaks occasionally visible on clear days. The flight crosses the Atacama Desert in northern Chile, one of the driest landscapes on Earth, before descending over the flat Argentine pampas toward Buenos Aires.
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from SFO
LEFTSFO typically departs south on runways 28L/28R heading west then turning south, or on runways 01L/01R heading north. For the most common westward departures over the bay, the left side gives you San Francisco Bay, the city skyline, and the Bay Bridge. On a southbound departure, the left side tracks the peninsula and downtown SF.
Landing at EZE
RIGHTEZE is located southwest of Buenos Aires and aircraft typically approach from the south or east on runway 11/29. On the common eastward approach, the right side faces north toward the Rio de la Plata and the Buenos Aires metropolitan area, giving you the broad brown estuary and the city grid spreading to the horizon.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from San Francisco International (SFO) to Ezeiza Ministro Pistarini (EZE)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from San Francisco to Buenos Aires. The left side wins overall. The San Francisco departure view is genuinely spectacular with the bay and city, and as the flight tracks south through Central America and along the western edge of South America, the left side occasionally offers Andean peaks in the distance during the Chilean segment. The EZE arrival is slightly better on the right, but the takeoff experience on the left is the highlight of this route.
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 typically departs south on runways 28L/28R heading west then turning south, or on runways 01L/01R heading north. For the most common westward departures over the bay, the left side gives you San Francisco Bay, the city skyline, and the Bay Bridge. On a southbound departure, the left side tracks the peninsula and downtown SF. Notable sights include: San Francisco Bay, Bay Bridge, downtown SF skyline, San Francisco Peninsula.
What can I see when landing at Ezeiza Ministro Pistarini in Buenos Aires?
When landing at Ezeiza Ministro Pistarini (EZE), sit on the Right side for the best views. EZE is located southwest of Buenos Aires and aircraft typically approach from the south or east on runway 11/29. On the common eastward approach, the right side faces north toward the Rio de la Plata and the Buenos Aires metropolitan area, giving you the broad brown estuary and the city grid spreading to the horizon. Notable sights include: Rio de la Plata estuary, Buenos Aires city grid, Parana River delta, suburban Buenos Aires sprawl.
How long is the flight from San Francisco to Buenos Aires?
The flight from San Francisco International (SFO) to Ezeiza Ministro Pistarini (EZE) takes about 14 hours. The shortest flight path between them is 6,464 miles (10,402 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the San Francisco to Buenos Aires flight path pass over?
The route tracks south over the Pacific Ocean off the Central American coast, then crosses northern South America near Ecuador or Colombia depending on routing. The Andes cordillera runs parallel to the left side of the aircraft through Peru and Chile, with high volcanic peaks occasionally visible on clear days. The flight crosses the Atacama Desert in northern Chile, one of the driest landscapes on Earth, before descending over the flat Argentine pampas toward Buenos Aires.