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SAN → BLI
Which side of the plane to sit from San Diego International Airport (San Diego) to Bellingham International Airport (Bellingham)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side offers an unparalleled 'Ring of Fire' tour, featuring a sequence of the most iconic volcanic peaks in North America as you traverse the Cascade Range.
Mount Shasta
The massive, isolated peak of this Northern California volcano dominates the horizon for a significant portion of the flight.
Mount Hood
Oregon's highest peak appears as a sharp, symmetrical cone as you pass east of Portland.
Mount St. Helens
Clear views of the massive horseshoe-shaped crater resulting from the 1980 eruption.
Mount Rainier
The towering icon of Washington, often appearing so close it feels like you could touch it from the window.
Seattle Skyline
During the descent, look for the Space Needle, downtown skyscrapers, and the sports stadiums.
Mount Baker
The final landmark before landing, this glaciated volcano sits directly east of the Bellingham airport.
Sit in a window seat away from the wing (rows in the back third are best) for an unobstructed view of the volcanoes. Morning flights are ideal as the sun illuminates the western faces of the mountains. Keep your camera ready as peaks appear in rapid succession once you cross the Oregon border.
Pacific Coastline
Aerial views of the rugged California and Oregon coastlines if the flight path tracks over the water.
San Francisco Bay
A distant but clear view of the Golden Gate Bridge and the San Francisco peninsula during the mid-flight segment.
Puget Sound
The intricate network of islands and waterways as the flight enters Washington state airspace.
Olympic Mountains
The snow-capped peaks of the Olympic Peninsula visible to the west during the descent into Bellingham.
Choose the left side for sunset flights to enjoy the glow over the Pacific. On the approach to BLI, this side provides better views of the San Juan Islands and the Strait of Georgia. Use a polarized filter for photos to cut through the ocean haze.
Distance: 1,840 km (1,143 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 2 hrs 27 min
Departure: SAN (32.7336006165, -117.190002441)
Arrival: BLI (48.79280090332031, -122.53800201416016)
Route Type: Domestic
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