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MKE → SFO
Which side of the plane to sit from General Mitchell International Airport (Milwaukee) to San Francisco International Airport (San Francisco)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side provides a high-value scenic experience, featuring the stark beauty of the Bonneville Salt Flats and the most frequent opportunities for views of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco skyline during the standard SFO arrival patterns.
Search flights from MKE to SFO
Lake Michigan Coast
Sweeping views of the northern Milwaukee suburbs and the vast turquoise waters of the Great Lakes.
Great Plains Grids
The geometric perfection of Nebraska's center-pivot irrigation circles creating a quilt-like pattern.
Wyoming Ranges
Views of the northern mountain corridors and high-altitude plateaus of the American West.
Bonneville Salt Flats
The blindingly white crust of the ancient lake bed in western Utah, visible for miles.
Northern Sierras
Glacial valleys and granite summits of the Sierra Nevada mountain range near the Tahoe basin.
San Francisco Bay
On the 'Bridge' arrival, iconic views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, and the San Francisco city skyline.
Choose the right side for the iconic arrival into SFO; ask the crew if the 'Bridge Visual' is expected, as this offers the best views of the city. Late afternoon flights provide a stunning 'golden hour' glow over the Sierra Nevada mountains and the salt flats. Ensure your window is clean for the high-contrast white landscape of the salt flats.
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Milwaukee Skyline
Immediate views of downtown Milwaukee and the lakefront landmarks upon departure.
Mississippi River
A clear view of the winding river marking the border between Wisconsin and Iowa.
Colorado Rockies
Aerial perspectives of the rugged, snow-capped peaks of the central Rocky Mountain range.
Utah Red Rocks
Deep canyons and oxidized desert landscapes of eastern Utah as you traverse the Great Basin.
Lake Tahoe
The southern crescent of the deep blue alpine lake situated on the Nevada-California border.
Silicon Valley
During descent, views of the tech campuses and urban density of the South Bay area.
The left side is preferable for morning flights as the sun will be on the opposite side, providing better lighting for photography of the Utah desert. Watch for the dramatic transition from the green Midwest plains to the arid Basin and Range province approximately midway through the flight.
Get eSIMs for United States
Get eSIMs for United StatesDistance: 2,962 km (1,841 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 3 hrs 57 min
Departure: MKE (42.94720077514648, -87.89659881591797)
Arrival: SFO (37.61899948120117, -122.375)
Route Type: Domestic
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