Both sides spend roughly twelve hours over featureless open Pacific, which caps the overall scores, but the right side uniquely captures two genuine landmark sequences: Sydney Harbour on departure and the Golden Gate Bridge/San Francisco skyline on arrival.
Flight Path
After leaving the Australian coast, the route runs for many hours over open ocean with no land visible, crossing the International Date Line and passing well east of Fiji and south of the Hawaiian Islands before making landfall on the Northern California coast.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from SYD
RIGHTDeparting Sydney on runway 34, the aircraft climbs north over the harbour before banking right toward the Pacific, putting the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, and CBD skyline right below the right-side windows during that turn. Left-side passengers mostly see the southern suburbs and Botany Bay industrial areas.
Landing at SFO
RIGHTTranspacific arrivals into SFO typically track down the Marin coastline before turning over the Golden Gate, so right-side windows catch the bridge, the headlands, and the San Francisco skyline just before the final descent. Left-side views are mostly open ocean and the flat Peninsula suburbs.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD) to San Francisco International (SFO)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Sydney to San Francisco. Both sides spend roughly twelve hours over featureless open Pacific, which caps the overall scores, but the right side uniquely captures two genuine landmark sequences: Sydney Harbour on departure and the Golden Gate Bridge/San Francisco skyline on arrival.
What can I see during takeoff from Kingsford Smith International Airport in Sydney?
During takeoff from Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD), sit on the Right side for the best views. Departing Sydney on runway 34, the aircraft climbs north over the harbour before banking right toward the Pacific, putting the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, and CBD skyline right below the right-side windows during that turn. Left-side passengers mostly see the southern suburbs and Botany Bay industrial areas. Notable sights include: Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, CBD skyline, Manly/Northern Beaches coastline.
What can I see when landing at San Francisco International in San Francisco?
When landing at San Francisco International (SFO), sit on the Right side for the best views. Transpacific arrivals into SFO typically track down the Marin coastline before turning over the Golden Gate, so right-side windows catch the bridge, the headlands, and the San Francisco skyline just before the final descent. Left-side views are mostly open ocean and the flat Peninsula suburbs. Notable sights include: Marin Headlands, Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco skyline, Pacific coastline near Point Reyes.
How long is the flight from Sydney to San Francisco?
The flight from Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD) to San Francisco International (SFO) takes 13h 35m.
What does the Sydney to San Francisco flight path pass over?
After leaving the Australian coast, the route runs for many hours over open ocean with no land visible, crossing the International Date Line and passing well east of Fiji and south of the Hawaiian Islands before making landfall on the Northern California coast.