The left seat wins overall. The San Francisco Bay departure is one of the most visually rich urban takeoffs in the US, and along the flight path the left side also captures the Central American Pacific coastline and volcanic peaks of Nicaragua and Costa Rica as you descend. The right seat has the open Pacific for most of the cruise, which is featureless ocean.
Flown SFO to LIR? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
San Francisco to Liberia is 2,947 miles (4,743 km), a flight of about 6 hours 15 minutes.
The flight tracks south-southeast over the Pacific, passing offshore of the Mexican coast near Manzanillo and Puerto Vallarta visible distantly to the left. Over southern Mexico and Guatemala the Sierra Madre del Sur and the volcanic chain of Central America — including Guatemalan volcanoes like Tajumulco and Santiaguito — appear as a distant ridge to the left. The Pacific coast of Nicaragua and the Gulf of Fonseca are visible to the left before descent into Costa Rica. The right side sees open ocean throughout the cruise.
Great circle distance and headings ›Phase by phase
Takeoff from SFO
LEFTSFO's primary departure runways (28L/28R) head west over the Bay, then aircraft turn south. A left seat gives you San Francisco Bay, the city skyline, and the Peninsula as you climb out and bank. Right side faces the open Pacific with little to see.
Landing at LIR
RIGHTLIR's primary runway 07/25 means arrivals typically come in from the east or west over the Guanacaste lowlands. On approach from the north, aircraft generally align heading southeast, putting the Gulf of Papagayo and the Pacific coastline on the right side. The left side faces inland scrub and the Guanacaste mountain range.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from San Francisco International (SFO) to Daniel Oduber Quiros International (LIR)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from San Francisco to Liberia. The left seat wins overall. The San Francisco Bay departure is one of the most visually rich urban takeoffs in the US, and along the flight path the left side also captures the Central American Pacific coastline and volcanic peaks of Nicaragua and Costa Rica as you descend. The right seat has the open Pacific for most of the cruise, which is featureless ocean.
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's primary departure runways (28L/28R) head west over the Bay, then aircraft turn south. A left seat gives you San Francisco Bay, the city skyline, and the Peninsula as you climb out and bank. Right side faces the open Pacific with little to see. Notable sights include: San Francisco Bay, downtown SF skyline, San Mateo Bridge, Santa Cruz Mountains.
What can I see when landing at Daniel Oduber Quiros International in Liberia?
When landing at Daniel Oduber Quiros International (LIR), sit on the Right side for the best views. LIR's primary runway 07/25 means arrivals typically come in from the east or west over the Guanacaste lowlands. On approach from the north, aircraft generally align heading southeast, putting the Gulf of Papagayo and the Pacific coastline on the right side. The left side faces inland scrub and the Guanacaste mountain range. Notable sights include: Gulf of Papagayo, Nicoya Peninsula, Guanacaste volcanic range (Rincón de la Vieja, Miravalles), Pacific coastline.
How long is the flight from San Francisco to Liberia?
The flight from San Francisco International (SFO) to Daniel Oduber Quiros International (LIR) takes about 6 hours 15 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 2,947 miles (4,743 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the San Francisco to Liberia flight path pass over?
The flight tracks south-southeast over the Pacific, passing offshore of the Mexican coast near Manzanillo and Puerto Vallarta visible distantly to the left. Over southern Mexico and Guatemala the Sierra Madre del Sur and the volcanic chain of Central America — including Guatemalan volcanoes like Tajumulco and Santiaguito — appear as a distant ridge to the left. The Pacific coast of Nicaragua and the Gulf of Fonseca are visible to the left before descent into Costa Rica. The right side sees open ocean throughout the cruise.