Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from San Francisco to Panama City. Left side wins both ends of the flight. At takeoff you get San Francisco Bay and the city, and at landing you face Panama City, the Canal, and Panama Bay. Over the open Pacific and Central American coast mid-flight, neither side has a dramatic advantage, but the left side tracks closer to the Central American coastline as the route curves southeast.

During takeoff from San Francisco International (SFO), sit on the Left side for the best views. SFO departures heading south on runways 28L/28R or 19L/19R give the left side a direct view over San Francisco Bay, the city skyline, and the Peninsula. You get a clear look at the Bay Bridge and downtown SF grid before the aircraft turns south over the coast. Notable sights include: San Francisco Bay, downtown SF skyline and Bay Bridge, San Mateo Bridge, Santa Cruz Mountains ridge.

When landing at Tocumen International (PTY), sit on the Left side for the best views. Tocumen sits east of Panama City, and aircraft typically approach from the north or northeast on runway 03L/03R or 21. On a northerly approach, the left side faces west toward Panama City, the Pacific entrance of the Panama Canal, and the Bridge of the Americas. The Canal itself and Panama Bay are clearly visible on descent. Notable sights include: Panama City skyline, Panama Bay, Bridge of the Americas, Pacific entrance of the Panama Canal.

The flight from San Francisco International (SFO) to Tocumen International (PTY) takes Approximately 7 to 8 hours.

The route tracks south-southeast over the Eastern Pacific, passing well offshore of the Mexican coast near Jalisco and Colima. Around the midpoint, the aircraft is over open ocean west of Guatemala and El Salvador. On descent into Panama, the rugged volcanic spine of Costa Rica and western Panama becomes visible, including the Talamanca mountain range, before the terrain flattens into the lowlands around Panama City.