Both sides get a strong bookend view, but the right side's SFO arrival sequence over the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco skyline is more visually striking than the left side's weaker East Bay approach, giving the right side the edge despite the left side's better Taipei departure.
Flown TPE to SFO? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Taipei to San Francisco is 6,457 miles (10,391 km), a flight of about 11 hours 50 minutes.
Shortly after departure the flight path passes within sight of Japan's Tohoku coast near Sendai before heading out over the open North Pacific. The route then crosses thousands of miles of ocean, reaching its highest latitude (around 50°N) well south of the Aleutian Islands, before curving southeast and approaching the California coast north of San Francisco.
Great circle distance and headings ›
Phase by phase
Takeoff from TPE
LEFTTPE departures to the northeast climb out almost directly over the Taipei Basin, so left-side passengers get a good look at the city and the Yangmingshan volcanic hills before the coast disappears. The right side instead faces the flatter, less distinctive Taiwan Strait.
Landing at SFO
RIGHTOn the final turn into SFO's north-south runways, arrivals coming off the Pacific typically cross near the Marin coastline and the Golden Gate before lining up to land, putting the bridge, downtown San Francisco, and the bay squarely on the right side. The left side instead faces the plainer East Bay hills.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Chiang Kai Shek International (TPE) to San Francisco International (SFO)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Taipei to San Francisco. Both sides get a strong bookend view, but the right side's SFO arrival sequence over the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco skyline is more visually striking than the left side's weaker East Bay approach, giving the right side the edge despite the left side's better Taipei departure.
What can I see during takeoff from Chiang Kai Shek International in Taipei?
During takeoff from Chiang Kai Shek International (TPE), sit on the Left side for the best views. TPE departures to the northeast climb out almost directly over the Taipei Basin, so left-side passengers get a good look at the city and the Yangmingshan volcanic hills before the coast disappears. The right side instead faces the flatter, less distinctive Taiwan Strait. Notable sights include: Taipei 101 skyscraper, Tamsui River estuary, Yangmingshan National Park volcanic peaks, northern Taiwan coastline near Keelung.
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. On the final turn into SFO's north-south runways, arrivals coming off the Pacific typically cross near the Marin coastline and the Golden Gate before lining up to land, putting the bridge, downtown San Francisco, and the bay squarely on the right side. The left side instead faces the plainer East Bay hills. Notable sights include: Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco downtown skyline, Marin Headlands, San Francisco Bay.
How long is the flight from Taipei to San Francisco?
The flight from Chiang Kai Shek International (TPE) to San Francisco International (SFO) takes about 11 hours 50 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 6,457 miles (10,391 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Taipei to San Francisco flight path pass over?
Shortly after departure the flight path passes within sight of Japan's Tohoku coast near Sendai before heading out over the open North Pacific. The route then crosses thousands of miles of ocean, reaching its highest latitude (around 50°N) well south of the Aleutian Islands, before curving southeast and approaching the California coast north of San Francisco.