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LHR â SFO
Which side of the plane to sit from London Heathrow Airport (London) to San Francisco International Airport (San Francisco)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side is superior for this polar-adjacent route, offering expansive views of the Greenland ice sheet, the rugged Canadian Rockies, and the iconic San Francisco Bay skyline during the standard approach into SFO.
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Scottish Highlands
Aerial views of the misty peaks and lochs if the flight path tracks north over the UK.
Greenland Ice Sheet
An endless, blindingly white expanse of glaciers and deep crevasses.
Canadian Rockies
Dramatic, sharp-edged mountain ranges stretching across Alberta and BC.
Cascade Volcanoes
Excellent views of snow-capped giants like Mt. Rainier and Mt. St. Helens.
San Francisco Bay
A perfect vantage point for the Bay Bridge, downtown skyscrapers, and Alcatraz on landing.
Sit on the right for the best chance of seeing the Northern Lights if flying during the winter months when portions of the flight are in darkness. This side also avoids direct sun glare and provides the 'money shot' of the city when landing on runways 28L or 28R.
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North Atlantic
Vast, moody ocean views and potential sightings of shipping lanes.
South Greenland Fjords
Deep blue water winding through jagged, snow-dusted coastal mountains.
Baffin Island
Desolate and beautiful arctic landscapes with frozen inlets.
Pacific Northwest
Distant views of the rugged coastline as the plane begins its southward turn.
The Golden Gate
A glimpse of the bridge and the Marin Headlands during the final descent.
The left side faces south for most of the flight, meaning you will deal with significant sun glare on this westbound journey. Keep your window shade partially closed during the mid-flight to avoid overheating, but open it roughly 4 hours after takeoff for Greenland's southern tip.
Get eSIMs for United Kingdom
Get eSIMs for United StatesDistance: 8,616 km (5,354 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 10 hrs 8 min
Departure: LHR (51.4706, -0.461941)
Arrival: SFO (37.61899948120117, -122.375)
Route Type: International
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