While takeoff offers interesting river delta views, the landing approach to SFO is dramatically superior—the Golden Gate Bridge, bay geography, and coastal scenery are iconic and unmissable. Left-side seats capture this signature arrival experience.
Flown THE to SFO? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Teresina to San Francisco is 5,865 miles (9,438 km), a flight of about 10 hours.
The flight path crosses the Amazon Basin and transitions into Central America. Notable features include the Amazon River and its tributaries (visible as dark meandering channels through dense green canopy in the first 3-4 hours), the Andes Mountains appearing as a distant ridge on the western horizon around 5-6 hours into flight, Central American highlands and valleys (Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador), the Pacific coastline of Mexico and Central America, and eventually the California coast approaching SFO. Most of the midpoint flight occurs over sparsely populated rainforest and mountains with limited ground detail visibility due to cloud cover typical of tropical regions.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from THE
RIGHTRight-side seats offer views of the Parnaíba River delta and wetlands immediately after departure. The aircraft climbs northwestward out of Teresina, and right-side windows capture the river's braided channels and floodplain landscape before turning toward the Atlantic.
Landing at SFO
LEFTLeft-side seats provide the best views during approach to SFO. The aircraft descends over the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay from the west, and left windows frame the Golden Gate Bridge, Marin Headlands, and the bay's eastern shoreline as you turn toward the runway.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Senador Petronio Portella (THE) to San Francisco International (SFO)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Teresina to San Francisco. While takeoff offers interesting river delta views, the landing approach to SFO is dramatically superior—the Golden Gate Bridge, bay geography, and coastal scenery are iconic and unmissable. Left-side seats capture this signature arrival experience.
What can I see during takeoff from Senador Petronio Portella in Teresina?
During takeoff from Senador Petronio Portella (THE), sit on the Right side for the best views. Right-side seats offer views of the Parnaíba River delta and wetlands immediately after departure. The aircraft climbs northwestward out of Teresina, and right-side windows capture the river's braided channels and floodplain landscape before turning toward the Atlantic. Notable sights include: Parnaíba River delta and wetlands, Teresina city grid (receding behind), Atlantic coastline near Parnaíba state, cerrado scrubland transitioning to coastal vegetation.
What can I see when landing at San Francisco International in San Francisco?
When landing at San Francisco International (SFO), sit on the Left side for the best views. Left-side seats provide the best views during approach to SFO. The aircraft descends over the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay from the west, and left windows frame the Golden Gate Bridge, Marin Headlands, and the bay's eastern shoreline as you turn toward the runway. Notable sights include: Golden Gate Bridge, Marin Headlands, San Francisco Bay with Oakland and Berkeley shorelines, Pacific coastline and headlands south of the Golden Gate.
How long is the flight from Teresina to San Francisco?
The flight from Senador Petronio Portella (THE) to San Francisco International (SFO) takes about 10 hours. The shortest flight path between them is 5,865 miles (9,438 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Teresina to San Francisco flight path pass over?
The flight path crosses the Amazon Basin and transitions into Central America. Notable features include the Amazon River and its tributaries (visible as dark meandering channels through dense green canopy in the first 3-4 hours), the Andes Mountains appearing as a distant ridge on the western horizon around 5-6 hours into flight, Central American highlands and valleys (Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador), the Pacific coastline of Mexico and Central America, and eventually the California coast approaching SFO. Most of the midpoint flight occurs over sparsely populated rainforest and mountains with limited ground detail visibility due to cloud cover typical of tropical regions.