The left side wins at both ends of the flight. Departure offers the iconic San Francisco Bay and city skyline, and arrival gives you the Pearl River and Jackson's downtown. During the cruise over Nevada, Utah, and the southern Rockies, the left side also tends to offer slightly better views of the Colorado Plateau terrain and the Sacramento Mountains of New Mexico.
Flown SFO to JAN? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
San Francisco to Jackson is 1,856 miles (2,986 km), a flight of about 3 hours 45 minutes.
The route crosses the Sierra Nevada east of Fresno, then the Mojave Desert and Nevada Basin and Range terrain, the Colorado Plateau with its canyon systems in Arizona and New Mexico, the Rio Grande valley near Albuquerque, the Llano Estacado of west Texas, and the pine forests and red clay of central Mississippi before descending into Jackson.
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from SFO
LEFTSFO typically departs eastbound on runways 28L/28R or southbound on 19L/19R. On an eastbound departure heading toward the Central Valley, the left side gives you San Francisco Bay, the Bay Bridge, and the San Francisco city skyline. On a southbound departure, the left side tracks along the bay toward San Jose.
Landing at JAN
LEFTJackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International typically uses runway 16/34. On a southbound approach to runway 16, the left side looks east over the city of Jackson and the Pearl River. The Mississippi state capital dome and downtown Jackson are visible on the left during final approach.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from San Francisco International (SFO) to Jackson International (JAN)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from San Francisco to Jackson. The left side wins at both ends of the flight. Departure offers the iconic San Francisco Bay and city skyline, and arrival gives you the Pearl River and Jackson's downtown. During the cruise over Nevada, Utah, and the southern Rockies, the left side also tends to offer slightly better views of the Colorado Plateau terrain and the Sacramento Mountains of New Mexico.
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 eastbound on runways 28L/28R or southbound on 19L/19R. On an eastbound departure heading toward the Central Valley, the left side gives you San Francisco Bay, the Bay Bridge, and the San Francisco city skyline. On a southbound departure, the left side tracks along the bay toward San Jose. Notable sights include: San Francisco Bay, Bay Bridge, San Francisco skyline, San Mateo Bridge.
What can I see when landing at Jackson International in Jackson?
When landing at Jackson International (JAN), sit on the Left side for the best views. Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International typically uses runway 16/34. On a southbound approach to runway 16, the left side looks east over the city of Jackson and the Pearl River. The Mississippi state capital dome and downtown Jackson are visible on the left during final approach. Notable sights include: City of Jackson downtown, Pearl River, Mississippi State Capitol area, Ross Barnett Reservoir.
How long is the flight from San Francisco to Jackson?
The flight from San Francisco International (SFO) to Jackson International (JAN) takes about 3 hours 45 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 1,856 miles (2,986 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the San Francisco to Jackson flight path pass over?
The route crosses the Sierra Nevada east of Fresno, then the Mojave Desert and Nevada Basin and Range terrain, the Colorado Plateau with its canyon systems in Arizona and New Mexico, the Rio Grande valley near Albuquerque, the Llano Estacado of west Texas, and the pine forests and red clay of central Mississippi before descending into Jackson.