Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from San Francisco to Spokane. Left side wins at both ends of the flight. During the cruise phase heading northeast, the left side also faces generally north-northwest, giving better views of the Cascades as the aircraft crosses into Oregon and Washington, including Mount Shasta early in the climb and the Oregon Cascades in the mid-flight.

During takeoff from San Francisco International (SFO), sit on the Left side for the best views. SFO typically departs north or northwest on runways 28L/28R, putting the left side facing south toward the San Francisco Bay, the city skyline, and the Peninsula. You get a clear view of the bay, the Bay Bridge, and downtown SF as the aircraft banks northeast toward its cruise heading. Notable sights include: San Francisco Bay, Bay Bridge, downtown SF skyline, San Mateo Bridge.

When landing at Spokane International (GEG), sit on the Left side for the best views. GEG typically lands on runway 21 (heading southwest) or runway 03 (heading north). On the more common southwesterly approach, the left side faces southeast toward the Spokane River valley and the city of Spokane itself. You get a direct view of the downtown core and the river as you descend. Notable sights include: Spokane River, downtown Spokane, Spokane Valley, Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge wetlands.

The flight from San Francisco International (SFO) to Spokane International (GEG) takes Approximately 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours.

The flight tracks northeast over the Sacramento Valley, then crosses the northern Sierra Nevada and Cascade Range. Mount Shasta (14,179 ft) is visible early in the flight to the left. The route then crosses the Oregon Cascades including Mount McLoughlin and the Crater Lake plateau region, followed by the high desert of central Oregon. Approaching Spokane, the flight crosses the Columbia River Plateau and the rolling Palouse agricultural region.