The left side wins on both ends of the flight: the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco Bay during departure, and the Istanbul skyline with the Bosphorus during arrival, while the long polar-ish cruise over Canada, Greenland, and the North Atlantic offers similar sparse views on either side.
Flown SFO to SAW? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
San Francisco to Pendik, Istanbul is 6,724 miles (10,822 km), a flight of about 12 hours 45 minutes.
Canadian Rockies, Hudson Bay, southern Greenland ice sheet, Iceland's coastline, and the North Atlantic before reaching Scandinavia and continental Europe
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from SFO
LEFTDeparting SFO on the eastbound runways, the aircraft climbs directly over San Francisco Bay before turning north toward Canada, putting the Golden Gate Bridge, the city skyline, and the Marin Headlands on the northern (left) side. The right side only shows the flatter, less distinctive South Bay and San Jose sprawl.
Landing at SAW
LEFTOn approach into Sabiha Gökçen from the southwest over the Sea of Marmara, the northeast-facing landing puts Istanbul's historic skyline, the mouth of the Bosphorus, and the Golden Horn on the left side of the aircraft. The right side mainly shows open water and the Princes' Islands, which are pleasant but less dramatic.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from San Francisco International (SFO) to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from San Francisco to Pendik, Istanbul. The left side wins on both ends of the flight: the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco Bay during departure, and the Istanbul skyline with the Bosphorus during arrival, while the long polar-ish cruise over Canada, Greenland, and the North Atlantic offers similar sparse views on either side.
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 the eastbound runways, the aircraft climbs directly over San Francisco Bay before turning north toward Canada, putting the Golden Gate Bridge, the city skyline, and the Marin Headlands on the northern (left) side. The right side only shows the flatter, less distinctive South Bay and San Jose sprawl. Notable sights include: Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco skyline, Marin Headlands, San Pablo Bay.
What can I see when landing at Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport in Pendik, Istanbul?
When landing at Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW), sit on the Left side for the best views. On approach into Sabiha Gökçen from the southwest over the Sea of Marmara, the northeast-facing landing puts Istanbul's historic skyline, the mouth of the Bosphorus, and the Golden Horn on the left side of the aircraft. The right side mainly shows open water and the Princes' Islands, which are pleasant but less dramatic. Notable sights include: Sea of Marmara, Bosphorus Strait mouth, Istanbul historic peninsula, Princes' Islands.
How long is the flight from San Francisco to Pendik, Istanbul?
The flight from San Francisco International (SFO) to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW) takes about 12 hours 45 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 6,724 miles (10,822 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the San Francisco to Pendik, Istanbul flight path pass over?
Canadian Rockies, Hudson Bay, southern Greenland ice sheet, Iceland's coastline, and the North Atlantic before reaching Scandinavia and continental Europe