San Francisco to Toronto flight pathSFOYYZ

Sit on the right side of the plane

Reverse

Which side of the plane?

Pick the window seat with the view. 13,500 routes answered — landmarks, coastlines and cities, wing by wing.

Flight time4h 45m
Distance2,254
Heading066° → 094°
Best side
Right
★ 3.5 left·★ 4.0 right

The right side wins both takeoff and landing, offering San Francisco Bay and skyline views on departure and the Toronto skyline with Lake Ontario on arrival. The left side has decent Sierra Nevada and Rocky Mountain views at cruise but less compelling takeoff and landing scenery.

Takeoff · SFORIGHTSan Francisco Bay, Oakland and the East Bay hills, San Francisco skyline
Landing · YYZRIGHTLake Ontario shoreline, Toronto skyline and CN Tower, Toronto Islands

Flight Path

Flight path overview

Sierra Nevada mountains, Great Basin desert of Nevada, Rocky Mountains near Denver, Great Plains of Nebraska and Iowa, and the Great Lakes region approaching Ontario

Great circle distance and headings ›

Phase by phase

Aerial window seat view during takeoff from San Francisco (right side) — San Francisco Bay, Oakland and the East Bay hills, San Francisco skyline, Diablo Range

Takeoff from SFO

RIGHT

Departing SFO to the east, the right side offers views of San Francisco Bay, the East Bay hills, and the city skyline as the plane climbs and banks toward the Sierra Nevada. The left side mostly shows the Pacific and Marin headlands receding behind.

San Francisco BayOakland and the East Bay hillsSan Francisco skylineDiablo Range
Aerial window seat view during landing at Toronto (right side) — Lake Ontario shoreline, Toronto skyline and CN Tower, Toronto Islands, Humber River valley

Landing at YYZ

RIGHT

On approach to YYZ from the west, the right side reveals Lake Ontario's shoreline and the Toronto skyline including the CN Tower before the final turn into the airport. The left side during this approach mostly shows suburban sprawl and farmland with fewer distinctive landmarks.

Lake Ontario shorelineToronto skyline and CN TowerToronto IslandsHumber River valley

Will your flight be in sunlight?

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 Lester B Pearson International (YYZ)?

Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from San Francisco to Toronto. The right side wins both takeoff and landing, offering San Francisco Bay and skyline views on departure and the Toronto skyline with Lake Ontario on arrival. The left side has decent Sierra Nevada and Rocky Mountain views at cruise but less compelling takeoff and landing scenery.

What can I see during takeoff from San Francisco International in San Francisco?

During takeoff from San Francisco International (SFO), sit on the Right side for the best views. Departing SFO to the east, the right side offers views of San Francisco Bay, the East Bay hills, and the city skyline as the plane climbs and banks toward the Sierra Nevada. The left side mostly shows the Pacific and Marin headlands receding behind. Notable sights include: San Francisco Bay, Oakland and the East Bay hills, San Francisco skyline, Diablo Range.

What can I see when landing at Lester B Pearson International in Toronto?

When landing at Lester B Pearson International (YYZ), sit on the Right side for the best views. On approach to YYZ from the west, the right side reveals Lake Ontario's shoreline and the Toronto skyline including the CN Tower before the final turn into the airport. The left side during this approach mostly shows suburban sprawl and farmland with fewer distinctive landmarks. Notable sights include: Lake Ontario shoreline, Toronto skyline and CN Tower, Toronto Islands, Humber River valley.

How long is the flight from San Francisco to Toronto?

The flight from San Francisco International (SFO) to Lester B Pearson International (YYZ) takes 4h 45m.

What does the San Francisco to Toronto flight path pass over?

Sierra Nevada mountains, Great Basin desert of Nevada, Rocky Mountains near Denver, Great Plains of Nebraska and Iowa, and the Great Lakes region approaching Ontario