The left side wins thanks to the dramatic San Francisco Bay departure with the city skyline and Golden Gate Bridge, plus better sightlines toward the Sierra Nevada and Rocky Mountain ranges during the cruise portion of this transcontinental route.
Flight Path
Sierra Nevada near Lake Tahoe, the Great Basin of Nevada and Utah, the Rocky Mountains around Colorado, and the Great Plains before crossing into the Appalachian foothills of Kentucky and Virginia
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from SFO
LEFTDeparting SFO on runway 10, the initial climb tracks east over the Bay, and the left side offers a sweeping view back toward San Francisco's skyline, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Marin headlands before the city falls away into haze.
Landing at RDU
RIGHTOn approach into RDU from the northwest toward runway 23, the right side faces south and offers glimpses of downtown Raleigh's low skyline and the wooded Piedmont terrain before touchdown, while the left side mostly shows flat, featureless farmland.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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See exactly which side of the plane gets sun and shade at your departure time.
About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from San Francisco International (SFO) to Raleigh Durham International (RDU)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from San Francisco to Raleigh-Durham. The left side wins thanks to the dramatic San Francisco Bay departure with the city skyline and Golden Gate Bridge, plus better sightlines toward the Sierra Nevada and Rocky Mountain ranges during the cruise portion of this transcontinental route.
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 on runway 10, the initial climb tracks east over the Bay, and the left side offers a sweeping view back toward San Francisco's skyline, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Marin headlands before the city falls away into haze. Notable sights include: San Francisco skyline, Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco Bay, Marin Headlands.
What can I see when landing at Raleigh Durham International in Raleigh-Durham?
When landing at Raleigh Durham International (RDU), sit on the Right side for the best views. On approach into RDU from the northwest toward runway 23, the right side faces south and offers glimpses of downtown Raleigh's low skyline and the wooded Piedmont terrain before touchdown, while the left side mostly shows flat, featureless farmland. Notable sights include: Downtown Raleigh skyline, Piedmont forest patchwork, small reservoirs near RDU.
How long is the flight from San Francisco to Raleigh-Durham?
The flight from San Francisco International (SFO) to Raleigh Durham International (RDU) takes 4h50m.
What does the San Francisco to Raleigh-Durham flight path pass over?
Sierra Nevada near Lake Tahoe, the Great Basin of Nevada and Utah, the Rocky Mountains around Colorado, and the Great Plains before crossing into the Appalachian foothills of Kentucky and Virginia