About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from San Francisco International (SFO) to Shanghai Pudong International (PVG)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from San Francisco to Shanghai. Left side wins both departure and arrival. At SFO you get the San Francisco skyline and Bay Bridge on climb-out, and at PVG you get the Yangtze mouth and Shanghai's Lujiazui towers on approach. The transpacific cruise itself is largely featureless ocean, so the terminal phases drive the recommendation.
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 typically departs northwest on runways 28L/28R, then turns north over the Bay. Left side gives you the San Francisco peninsula, the city skyline, and the Bay Bridge as you climb out. Right side faces the East Bay hills and Oakland, which is less dramatic. Notable sights include: San Francisco skyline and Financial District, Bay Bridge, Marin Headlands and Golden Gate Bridge (visible to the northwest as you climb), San Francisco Bay.
What can I see when landing at Shanghai Pudong International in Shanghai?
When landing at Shanghai Pudong International (PVG), sit on the Left side for the best views. PVG typically lands on runways oriented roughly east-west (runway 16/34 or 04/22). Approaching from the northeast over the East China Sea, left side gives views of the Yangtze River mouth, the sprawling Pudong district, and central Shanghai's skyline including the Lujiazui towers. Right side faces south toward less distinctive suburban sprawl. Notable sights include: Yangtze River mouth (Chongming Island visible), Huangpu River winding through Shanghai, Lujiazui skyline with Shanghai Tower and Oriental Pearl Tower, Pudong district urban grid.
How long is the flight from San Francisco to Shanghai?
The flight from San Francisco International (SFO) to Shanghai Pudong International (PVG) takes Approximately 11-12 hours westbound (SFO to PVG), 13-14 hours eastbound due to jet stream.
What does the San Francisco to Shanghai flight path pass over?
The great circle route arcs north over the North Pacific, passing south of the Aleutian Islands chain (Alaska), then crosses the Kamchatka Peninsula and the Sea of Okhotsk. The Japanese archipelago — Hokkaido and Honshu — is visible on descent into the western Pacific. The vast majority of the route is open ocean with occasional cloud systems and, at high latitudes, possible sea ice visibility in winter months.