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MSP β SFO
Which side of the plane to sit from Minneapolis-St Paul International/Wold-Chamberlain Airport (Minneapolis) to San Francisco International Airport (San Francisco)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side offers superior views of iconic geological landmarks including Devil's Tower and the jagged peaks of the Grand Tetons, followed by a dramatic crossing of the Sierra Nevada mountains.
Lake Minnetonka
A beautiful view of the intricate shorelines and islands of the Twin Cities' largest lake shortly after departure.
Devil's Tower
The famous igneous monolith in Wyoming stands out prominently from the surrounding plains about 90 minutes into the flight.
Grand Teton Range
Unrivaled views of the steep, jagged peaks of the Tetons and the southern edge of Yellowstone National Park.
Great Salt Lake
The northern portion of the lake, often showing distinct color variations due to salinity levels.
Sierra Nevada
Spectacular crossing of the snow-capped mountain range, often flying near the historic Donner Pass area.
Marin Headlands
On certain arrival paths, you can spot the Golden Gate Bridge and the rugged coastline of Marin County to the north.
The right side is the 'photographer's side' for this route. Sit here for a chance to see Devil's Towerβlook for it roughly 1 hour and 20 minutes after takeoff. For morning flights, the lighting on the Tetons and the Sierras is exceptional. Be aware that the sun will be on the left side (south) for most of this westbound journey, making the right side comfortably shaded.
Mississippi River
Immediately after takeoff, witness the winding curves of the Great River forming the border between MN and WI.
Badlands National Park
Aerial views of the distinctively eroded buttes and spires of the South Dakota landscape.
Canyonlands
Distant but visible red rock formations and plateaus of the high desert regions.
Lake Tahoe
The deep sapphire blue of the largest alpine lake in North America nestled in the Sierras.
San Francisco Skyline
On the standard approach to SFO, the left side typically offers a clear view of the downtown skyscrapers and Salesforce Tower.
Silicon Valley
Views of the South Bay tech campuses and Levi's Stadium during the final descent pattern.
Choose the left side for evening flights to avoid direct glare from the sun. This side is also preferred for views of the San Francisco city center and the Bay Bridge during the final approach to runways 28L or 28R. Keep an eye out for the colorful salt evaporation ponds in the South Bay during the last ten minutes of flight.
Distance: 2,551 km (1,585 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 3 hrs 24 min
Departure: MSP (44.882, -93.221802)
Arrival: SFO (37.61899948120117, -122.375)
Route Type: Domestic
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