Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from San Francisco to Milano. The left side delivers the iconic San Francisco departure view — city, Bay Bridge, and a glimpse of the Golden Gate — which is one of the most visually spectacular urban departures in aviation. The Malpensa arrival is good on the right but less dramatic. For the full flight experience, left wins on the strength of the departure alone.

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 captures San Francisco city, the Bay Bridge, and the peninsula. Right side faces the East Bay hills and Oakland, which are less dramatic. Notable sights include: San Francisco downtown skyline, Bay Bridge, Golden Gate Bridge (briefly to the northwest), San Francisco Bay.

When landing at Malpensa (MXP), sit on the Right side for the best views. Malpensa typically lands on runways 35L/35R heading north, or 17L/17R heading south depending on wind. On the more common northerly approach from the south, the right side faces east toward Milan's urban sprawl and the Po Valley. On southerly landings, right still captures the Alps to the north. Either way, right gives the better geographic show. Notable sights include: Milan urban area and its radial highway network, Po Valley flatlands, Lake Maggiore (just west of the airport), Alpine foothills to the north.

The flight from San Francisco International (SFO) to Malpensa (MXP) takes Approximately 11 to 12 hours.

The polar great circle route tracks north over the Sierra Nevada, then across the Canadian Rockies and Hudson Bay region, crossing Greenland's ice sheet (visible as a vast white expanse), then descending over the North Atlantic, the British Isles, and the English Channel before crossing France and entering northern Italy over the Alps.