About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from San Francisco International (SFO) to Seletar (XSP)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from San Francisco to Singapore. The left side delivers the dramatic San Francisco Bay departure, and across the Pacific the left side also faces south toward the Hawaiian Islands as you pass their latitude, and later offers views of the Philippine archipelago during the approach to Southeast Asia. The Seletar landing view on the right is interesting but brief — the SF departure on the left is the flight's visual highlight.
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's primary departure runways (28L/28R) head west over the Bay then turn northwest, putting the left side facing south toward the San Francisco Peninsula, the city skyline, and the Bay. You get a clear view of downtown SF, the Bay Bridge, and the peninsula stretching toward San Jose. Notable sights include: San Francisco downtown skyline, Bay Bridge, San Francisco Bay, San Mateo Bridge.
What can I see when landing at Seletar in Singapore?
When landing at Seletar (XSP), sit on the Right side for the best views. Seletar Airport sits in the northeast of Singapore island. Arrivals typically come in from the south or east, and the right side faces north toward the Johor Strait and peninsular Malaysia, giving you a clear view of the narrow strait separating Singapore from Malaysia and the causeway linking them. Notable sights include: Johor Strait, Johor Bahru city across the strait, Woodlands Causeway, Singapore's northern reservoir system.
How long is the flight from San Francisco to Singapore?
The flight from San Francisco International (SFO) to Seletar (XSP) takes Approximately 17-18 hours nonstop (roughly 8,400 miles great circle route).
What does the San Francisco to Singapore flight path pass over?
The route tracks a great circle arc across the North Pacific, passing south of the Aleutian Islands chain, then descending toward Japan — the Japanese archipelago including Honshu and Kyushu may be visible on clear days. The route then crosses the East China Sea, passes over or near the Philippines, crosses the South China Sea, and enters Singapore from the northeast. The vast majority of the flight is open ocean with no landmarks visible.