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MSP → SAN
Which side of the plane to sit from Minneapolis-St Paul International/Wold-Chamberlain Airport (Minneapolis) to San Diego International Airport (San Diego)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side provides an unparalleled view of the iconic San Diego approach, flying directly over Balboa Park and past the downtown skyline, while also capturing the most dramatic portions of the Colorado Rockies and the Grand Canyon region.
Search flights from MSP to SAN
Twin Cities Skyline
Immediate views of the Minneapolis and St. Paul skylines and the winding Mississippi River shortly after takeoff from MSP.
Southern Rockies
Cross over the jagged, snow-capped peaks of the Southern Colorado and Northern New Mexico mountain ranges mid-flight.
Grand Canyon & Lake Powell
Spectacular aerial vistas of the deep red canyons and the shimmering blue waters of Lake Powell and the Colorado River.
Balboa Park
One of aviation's most famous views; fly extremely low over the museums, gardens, and California Tower just before touchdown.
Downtown San Diego
Get a close-up look at the skyscrapers of the Gaslamp Quarter and the San Diego Bay during the final seconds of the descent.
Sit on the left side (Seat A) for the world-famous 'downtown approach' into SAN. For the best lighting over the Grand Canyon and Rockies, choose a mid-morning flight to keep the sun behind you. Avoid seats over the wing to ensure your view of the San Diego skyline is not obstructed.
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Great Plains Patchwork
Geometric agricultural patterns and center-pivot irrigation circles across Nebraska and Kansas.
Wasatch Range
Distant views of the high Utah mountains and the striking plateaus of the Southern Utah desert.
Mojave Desert
Expansive views of the arid California desert, including unique geological formations and dry lake beds.
Salton Sea
View the massive, shimmering blue Salton Sea, a saline lake sitting below sea level in the Imperial Valley.
Pacific Horizon
A glimpse of the Pacific Ocean and Point Loma as the plane banks for its final lineup with the runway.
The right side (Seat F) is better if you prefer viewing the vastness of the Mojave Desert and the Salton Sea. Be aware that on afternoon flights, the sun will be on this side of the aircraft, which may require closing the window shade due to heat and glare.
Book Hotels in San DiegoDistance: 2,463 km (1,530 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 3 hrs 17 min
Departure: MSP (44.882, -93.221802)
Arrival: SAN (32.7336006165, -117.190002441)
Route Type: Domestic
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