About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from San Francisco International (SFO) to Zurich (ZRH)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from San Francisco to Zurich. Left wins at both ends of the flight. The San Francisco Bay departure and the Lake Zurich and Alps arrival are both on the left side. During the polar routing over Canada and Greenland, the left side also tends to face slightly more southward where cloud breaks occasionally reveal the Greenland ice sheet and Canadian Rockies during the early portion of the flight.
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 typically departs northwest on runways 28L/28R, then turns north over the Bay. The left side gives you San Francisco city, the Bay Bridge, and the downtown skyline as you climb out over the water. Right side faces the Peninsula suburbs and hills with far less visual interest. Notable sights include: San Francisco downtown skyline, Bay Bridge, Alcatraz Island, Golden Gate Bridge (visible to the northwest as you climb).
What can I see when landing at Zurich in Zurich?
When landing at Zurich (ZRH), sit on the Left side for the best views. Zurich typically lands on runway 14 or 16 from the north/northwest, meaning the aircraft approaches from over the Jura hills and descends toward the city. The left side faces east toward Lake Zurich, the city center, and the Alps on the horizon — a genuinely spectacular approach. The right side looks west toward the Limmat valley and suburban sprawl. Notable sights include: Lake Zurich, Zurich city center, Swiss Alps on the southern horizon, Glarus Alps and Säntis massif to the southeast.
How long is the flight from San Francisco to Zurich?
The flight from San Francisco International (SFO) to Zurich (ZRH) takes Approximately 11 to 12 hours.
What does the San Francisco to Zurich flight path pass over?
The route tracks northeast over the Sierra Nevada, then across the Canadian Rockies and prairies, arcing over Hudson Bay or Baffin Island depending on the day's routing, crossing the southern tip of Greenland where the ice sheet and fjords are occasionally visible, then descending over Iceland or Scotland airspace, crossing the North Sea, and entering continental Europe over the Netherlands or Germany before turning south toward Zurich.