Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from San Francisco to Calgary. Left side wins at both ends of the flight. During the cruise over Oregon and British Columbia, the left side also faces west toward the Cascade Range volcanoes including Mount Shasta, Mount McLoughlin, and the Oregon Cascades, while the right side looks east over the Great Basin and Columbia Plateau. Left is the clear choice for the full journey.

During takeoff from San Francisco International (SFO), sit on the Left side for the best views. SFO departures on runways 28L/28R head west over the bay before turning north. The left side gives you San Francisco Bay, the city skyline, and the Bay Bridge as you climb out. Right side faces south toward the peninsula with less dramatic scenery. Notable sights include: San Francisco Bay, Bay Bridge, San Francisco city skyline, Marin Headlands.

When landing at Calgary International (YYC), sit on the Left side for the best views. YYC approaches on runway 35L/35R come in from the south heading north, placing the Rocky Mountains on the left (west) side. The front ranges of the Rockies including the Bow Valley corridor are clearly visible on approach, while the right side faces east over flat prairie. Notable sights include: Canadian Rocky Mountain front ranges, Bow Valley, Calgary city grid, Nose Hill Park.

The flight from San Francisco International (SFO) to Calgary International (YYC) takes Approximately 2 hours 30 minutes to 2 hours 50 minutes.

The flight tracks north-northeast over the Sacramento Valley, then crosses the Cascade Range in northern California or southern Oregon where Mount Shasta (14,179 ft) is visible as a prominent isolated volcanic cone. The route continues over the Oregon Cascades and the Columbia River valley region, then into southern British Columbia crossing the Interior Plateau and the Columbia Mountains before descending over the Alberta foothills toward Calgary.