Vancouver to Reykjavik flight path: YVR to RKV

Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Vancouver to Reykjavik. The right side wins for both departure and arrival, offering mountain scenery over British Columbia's Coast Range at takeoff and a scenic bay-and-mountain view of Reykjavik at landing, while the left side is dominated by open ocean and flatter coastal terrain for most of the flight.

During takeoff from Vancouver International (YVR), sit on the Right side for the best views. Departing YVR on runway 26, the right side gives passengers a clear view of the North Shore Mountains (Grouse, Seymour, Cypress) rising steeply behind Vancouver as the plane climbs and banks northward toward the great-circle route over British Columbia's Coast Mountains. The left side mostly shows the flat Strait of Georgia and Vancouver Island's low coastline. Notable sights include: North Shore Mountains, Coast Mountains, Georgia Strait, Fraser River delta.

When landing at Reykjavik (RKV), sit on the Right side for the best views. On approach to Keflavik/Reykjavik area airspace and final descent into RKV, the right side offers views of Faxafloi Bay, the city of Reykjavik's colorful rooftops, and the distinctive flat-topped Mount Esja rising across the bay. The left side during final turns mostly shows open North Atlantic water and the barren Reykjanes lava fields with less variety. Notable sights include: Mount Esja, Faxafloi Bay, Reykjavik city, Reykjanes lava fields.

The flight from Vancouver International (YVR) to Reykjavik (RKV) takes about 7 hours 15 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 3,543 miles (5,703 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.

The great-circle route crosses northern British Columbia and the Yukon's rugged interior ranges, then passes over the southern tip of Greenland's ice sheet and coastal fjords before descending toward Iceland's Reykjanes peninsula.