Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from San Francisco to Taipei. The left side departure from SFO delivers the most iconic and concentrated scenery — Golden Gate, Bay Bridge, and the San Francisco skyline all in one climb-out sequence. The right side landing at TSA is strong, but the departure view is rarer and more dramatic for most travelers.

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 San Francisco city, the Bay Bridge, and the Golden Gate as you climb out over the water. Right side faces the East Bay hills and suburban sprawl. Notable sights include: Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco downtown skyline, Bay Bridge, Marin Headlands.

When landing at Sungshan (TSA), sit on the Right side for the best views. TSA sits on the east side of Taipei city, and aircraft typically approach from the north or northeast over the Taiwan Strait side. Right side gives you views over central Taipei, Taipei 101, and the surrounding mountain ridges of Yangmingshan and the Central Range. Left side faces toward the strait and open water on approach. Notable sights include: Taipei 101, Yangmingshan volcanic mountains, Keelung River, Taipei Basin urban grid.

The flight from San Francisco International (SFO) to Sungshan (TSA) takes Approximately 11 to 12 hours.

The route tracks northwest across the North Pacific, passing south of the Aleutian Island chain. The flight crosses the International Date Line roughly midway. Landfall over Taiwan is preceded by crossing the Taiwan Strait. The vast majority of the route is open ocean with occasional cloud systems visible below. Japan's Ryukyu Islands may be faintly visible near the descent phase on clear days.