About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from San Francisco International (SFO) to Hong Kong International (HKG)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from San Francisco to Hong Kong. Left side wins at both ends of the flight. Departure gives you the full San Francisco Bay panorama and the city skyline, and arrival gives you the iconic Victoria Harbour and Hong Kong Island approach. The transoceanic cruise over the North Pacific offers little to see on either side, so the terminal views are decisive.
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 northwest on runways 28L/28R, then turns north over the Bay. The left side gets the San Francisco city skyline, the Bay Bridge, and the dense urban grid of the peninsula as the aircraft climbs and banks. Right side faces the Pacific and suburban sprawl. Notable sights include: San Francisco skyline and downtown high-rises, Bay Bridge spanning to Oakland, Alcatraz Island in the Bay, Marin Headlands and Golden Gate Bridge visible to the northwest.
What can I see when landing at Hong Kong International in Hong Kong?
When landing at Hong Kong International (HKG), sit on the Left side for the best views. HKIA sits on Lantau Island and aircraft typically approach from the east on runway 07L/07R, flying over the South China Sea and then over Lantau. The left side gets views of Kowloon, Victoria Harbour, and the Hong Kong Island skyline on final approach. Right side faces open water and the Pearl River estuary. Notable sights include: Victoria Harbour between Kowloon and Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong Island skyscraper skyline including Central district, Kowloon Peninsula urban grid, Lantau Island hills and Tsing Ma Bridge.
How long is the flight from San Francisco to Hong Kong?
The flight from San Francisco International (SFO) to Hong Kong International (HKG) takes Approximately 14 to 15 hours.
What does the San Francisco to Hong Kong flight path pass over?
The great circle route tracks northwest from SFO across the North Pacific, passing south of the Aleutian Islands chain, then arcing southwest over the Kamchatka Peninsula and the Sea of Okhotsk, crossing the Japanese archipelago — Hokkaido and Honshu are visible on clear days — then descending over the East China Sea and the Pearl River Delta toward Hong Kong. The vast majority of the cruise is open ocean with no landmarks.