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SAN → STL
Which side of the plane to sit from San Diego International Airport (San Diego) to St Louis Lambert International Airport (St. Louis)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side is slightly superior as it offers iconic views of the San Diego coastline and Coronado Bridge during takeoff, followed by a high probability of spotting the Gateway Arch on the approach into St. Louis.
Coronado & San Diego Bay
Incredible views of the Coronado Bridge, the Silver Strand, and the naval fleet docked in the harbor during departure.
Imperial Valley & Salton Sea
Watch the landscape shift from the green coastal mountains to the deep blue of the Salton Sea and the stark desert badlands.
Meteor Crater
Keep a sharp eye out near Winslow, Arizona, for the perfectly circular 50,000-year-old impact site on the desert floor.
Ozark National Forest
Dense, rolling green hills and river valleys of the Ozark Plateau as you cross into southern Missouri.
The Gateway Arch
On many common approach patterns to STL, the 630-foot stainless steel arch is visible on the right side against the Mississippi River.
The right side is the 'money' side for this route. To maximize your chance of seeing the Arch, check the wind; if landing from the west (Runway 12), the Arch will appear during the final minutes of flight. Use a morning flight for the best photographic light over the Arizona desert features.
San Diego Downtown
Aerial perspective of Balboa Park and the high-rises of downtown San Diego immediately after the initial climb-out turn.
Joshua Tree & High Desert
Vast stretches of the Mojave desert landscape and the northern edges of the Coachella Valley.
Sangre de Cristo Mountains
The southern tip of the Rocky Mountains provides a dramatic snowy backdrop during the mid-flight cruise over New Mexico.
Midwestern Patchwork
Intricate patterns of circular irrigation fields across Kansas and Oklahoma creating a giant geometric quilt.
Missouri River Confluence
The winding Missouri River is visible just north of the city during the final descent into Lambert Field.
Choose the left side for better lighting during afternoon flights to avoid the direct southern sun. This side also provides the best views of the higher mountain peaks in the distance to the north.
Distance: 2,501 km (1,554 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 3 hrs 20 min
Departure: SAN (32.7336006165, -117.190002441)
Arrival: STL (38.748697, -90.370003)
Route Type: Domestic
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