About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Montreal International Dorval (YUL) to San Francisco International (SFO)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Montreal to San Francisco. The left side wins overall. The Montreal departure view of the city, Mount Royal, and the St. Lawrence is genuinely spectacular and hard to beat. Across the flight, the left side also faces south toward the Great Lakes region, the Rockies approach from the north, and Lake Tahoe in the Sierra Nevada. The landing trade-off is real but the cumulative left-side scenery over a 5.5-hour flight edges it out.
What can I see during takeoff from Montreal International Dorval in Montreal?
During takeoff from Montreal International Dorval (YUL), sit on the Left side for the best views. YUL's primary departure runway 24L sends aircraft southwest, putting the left side facing southeast toward Montreal island, the St. Lawrence River, and the downtown core. You get a clear view of the city grid, the river, and Mount Royal as the aircraft climbs out. Notable sights include: Mount Royal and its cross, Montreal downtown skyline, St. Lawrence River, Île de Montréal shoreline.
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. SFO's dominant arrival runways 28L/28R bring aircraft in from the east over the Bay, placing the right side facing south toward the San Francisco Peninsula, the bay waters, and the approach over the water. The left side faces north toward the city and Golden Gate but the right gives a sustained view of the bay and peninsula geography during the long over-water approach. Notable sights include: San Francisco Bay, San Mateo Bridge, San Francisco Peninsula coastline, Santa Cruz Mountains.
How long is the flight from Montreal to San Francisco?
The flight from Montreal International Dorval (YUL) to San Francisco International (SFO) takes Approximately 5 hours 30 minutes to 6 hours.
What does the Montreal to San Francisco flight path pass over?
The route tracks southwest over Ontario and the northern shore of Lake Erie and Lake Huron, then across the Upper Midwest over Wisconsin and Minnesota. Over the Dakotas and Montana the terrain becomes the high plains. The Canadian Rockies and then the US Rockies appear over Montana and Idaho. The Sierra Nevada range, including Lake Tahoe, is visible in the final descent toward the Bay Area. Lake Tahoe on the left side is a particularly striking deep-blue landmark in the Sierra.