Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from San Francisco to Manila. Left side wins both takeoff and landing. At takeoff you get the full San Francisco Bay panorama, and on arrival you get Manila Bay and the city waterfront. The right side offers less compelling views at both ends of the flight.

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. Left side gives you San Francisco city, the Bay Bridge, and the downtown skyline before climbing over Marin County. Right side faces south toward the Peninsula suburbs with less visual interest. Notable sights include: San Francisco downtown skyline, Bay Bridge, Alcatraz Island, Golden Gate Bridge (briefly to the northwest).

When landing at Ninoy Aquino International (MNL), sit on the Left side for the best views. NAIA typically approaches from the east or northeast on runway 06/24. On approach from the east, the left side faces north toward Manila Bay, giving views of the bay, the Pasig River delta, and the Manila city waterfront. Right side faces south toward Laguna de Bay and the suburbs of Paranaque. Notable sights include: Manila Bay, Pasig River mouth, Manila city waterfront and Roxas Boulevard, Laguna de Bay visible to the southeast.

The flight from San Francisco International (SFO) to Ninoy Aquino International (MNL) takes Approximately 13 to 14 hours.

The great circle route from SFO to MNL tracks northwest across the Pacific, passing south of the Aleutian Islands chain, then arcing southwest over the open North Pacific Ocean. The route crosses the International Date Line roughly midway. Approaching the Philippines, the flight descends over the Philippine Sea and the eastern Luzon coastline, with the Sierra Madre mountain range of northeastern Luzon potentially visible on the right side during descent.