While the Zurich departure gives a brief, dramatic Alps view on the left, the right side wins the flight overall thanks to a long cruise passing near Greenland's ice cap and the Canadian Shield, the Rocky Mountains and Sierra Nevada later in the flight, and a spectacular San Francisco Bay approach with the Golden Gate Bridge on landing.
Flight Path
Southern Greenland's ice cap and fjord coastline, the Labrador Sea, lake-studded Canadian Shield terrain over Quebec/Ontario, and later the Rocky Mountains and Sierra Nevada as the route crosses into the western United States
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from ZRH
LEFTDeparting Zurich on runway 28 the aircraft climbs westward before turning north toward the Atlantic tracks, and during that initial climb the left side looks south toward Lake Zurich and the wall of the Swiss Alps on the horizon. The right side only shows the rolling, less distinctive hills of the Rhine valley and Black Forest foothills.
Landing at SFO
RIGHTArriving from the east, the aircraft lines up with SFO's north-south runways and descends south along San Francisco Bay, putting the peninsula, the city, and the Golden Gate Bridge on the right side of the cabin while the East Bay hills sit on the left. This gives passengers on the right one of the most recognizable urban-coastal views in North America.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Zurich (ZRH) to San Francisco International (SFO)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Zurich to San Francisco. While the Zurich departure gives a brief, dramatic Alps view on the left, the right side wins the flight overall thanks to a long cruise passing near Greenland's ice cap and the Canadian Shield, the Rocky Mountains and Sierra Nevada later in the flight, and a spectacular San Francisco Bay approach with the Golden Gate Bridge on landing.
What can I see during takeoff from Zurich in Zurich?
During takeoff from Zurich (ZRH), sit on the Left side for the best views. Departing Zurich on runway 28 the aircraft climbs westward before turning north toward the Atlantic tracks, and during that initial climb the left side looks south toward Lake Zurich and the wall of the Swiss Alps on the horizon. The right side only shows the rolling, less distinctive hills of the Rhine valley and Black Forest foothills. Notable sights include: Lake Zurich, Swiss Alps skyline (Glarus/Bernese ranges in the distance), Zurich city and Limmat valley.
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. Arriving from the east, the aircraft lines up with SFO's north-south runways and descends south along San Francisco Bay, putting the peninsula, the city, and the Golden Gate Bridge on the right side of the cabin while the East Bay hills sit on the left. This gives passengers on the right one of the most recognizable urban-coastal views in North America. Notable sights include: Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco skyline and downtown peninsula, San Francisco Bay, Pacific Ocean beyond the coastline.
How long is the flight from Zurich to San Francisco?
The flight from Zurich (ZRH) to San Francisco International (SFO) takes 11h 15m.
What does the Zurich to San Francisco flight path pass over?
Southern Greenland's ice cap and fjord coastline, the Labrador Sea, lake-studded Canadian Shield terrain over Quebec/Ontario, and later the Rocky Mountains and Sierra Nevada as the route crosses into the western United States