The left side wins overall thanks to San Francisco Bay scenery on departure and Panama City's skyline, canal entrance, and gulf waters on arrival, while the right side is dominated by open Pacific Ocean for most of the flight.
Flown SFO to PTY? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
San Francisco to Panama City is 3,321 miles (5,344 km), a flight of about 6 hours 50 minutes.
Route passes over the Pacific coastal lowlands of southern Mexico, the volcanic highlands of Guatemala and Nicaragua, and the Gulf of Fonseca before crossing into Costa Rica and Panama.
Great circle distance and headings ›
Phase by phase
Takeoff from SFO
LEFTDeparting SFO to the south, the left (east) side offers views of San Francisco Bay, the East Bay hills, and the Peninsula cities before the aircraft turns onto its southbound track. The right side shows only open Pacific water beyond the coastline.
Landing at PTY
LEFTOn approach to PTY's runway 03, aircraft typically swing over the Gulf of Panama and pass near Panama City before turning onto final, putting the skyline, Bridge of the Americas, and Canal entrance on the left side. The right side mostly shows featureless rainforest and cloud-covered lowlands.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from San Francisco International (SFO) to Tocumen International (PTY)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from San Francisco to Panama City. The left side wins overall thanks to San Francisco Bay scenery on departure and Panama City's skyline, canal entrance, and gulf waters on arrival, while the right side is dominated by open Pacific Ocean for most of the flight.
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. Departing SFO to the south, the left (east) side offers views of San Francisco Bay, the East Bay hills, and the Peninsula cities before the aircraft turns onto its southbound track. The right side shows only open Pacific water beyond the coastline. Notable sights include: San Francisco Bay, East Bay hills, San Francisco Peninsula, Santa Cruz Mountains.
What can I see when landing at Tocumen International in Panama City?
When landing at Tocumen International (PTY), sit on the Left side for the best views. On approach to PTY's runway 03, aircraft typically swing over the Gulf of Panama and pass near Panama City before turning onto final, putting the skyline, Bridge of the Americas, and Canal entrance on the left side. The right side mostly shows featureless rainforest and cloud-covered lowlands. Notable sights include: Panama City skyline, Bridge of the Americas, Gulf of Panama, Panama Canal Pacific entrance.
How long is the flight from San Francisco to Panama City?
The flight from San Francisco International (SFO) to Tocumen International (PTY) takes about 6 hours 50 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 3,321 miles (5,344 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the San Francisco to Panama City flight path pass over?
Route passes over the Pacific coastal lowlands of southern Mexico, the volcanic highlands of Guatemala and Nicaragua, and the Gulf of Fonseca before crossing into Costa Rica and Panama.