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SFO → ATL
Which side of the plane to sit from San Francisco International Airport (San Francisco) to Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport (Atlanta)?
Right Side of the Plane
The Right Side is the clear winner for its legendary departure views of the San Francisco skyline and Golden Gate Bridge, followed by a high probability of seeing the Atlanta skyline upon arrival.
Search flights from SFO to ATL
San Francisco Skyline
Unbeatable views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, and the downtown skyscrapers during climb-out.
Yosemite National Park
The distinctive granite domes and glacial valleys of the High Sierra visible to the south.
Pikes Peak
The famous 14,115-foot summit standing prominently at the edge of the Colorado Front Range.
Mississippi River
The massive winding waterway marking the transition from the Great Plains to the Southeast.
Atlanta Skyline
Exceptional views of the Buckhead, Midtown, and Downtown high-rises if landing from the west.
The right side offers the best photographic opportunities at both the start and end of the journey. Be aware that the sun will be on this side of the aircraft for the duration of the flight, so keep your window shade partially closed to manage heat. On arrival in Atlanta, keep an eye out for Stone Mountain, a massive granite monadnock located just east of the city.
Book Hotels in AtlantaSan Francisco Bay
Aerial views of the East Bay, Oakland, and the Bay Bridge shortly after takeoff.
Lake Tahoe
The deep blue waters of the Sierra Nevada's most famous alpine lake are often visible to the north.
Bonneville Salt Flats
The stark, shimmering white landscape of the Great Basin desert in Utah.
Rocky Mountain National Park
Glaciated peaks and high-altitude tundra of the northern Colorado range.
The Heartland
Vast geometric patterns of American agriculture stretching across the Great Plains.
Choose the left side for more consistent lighting when traveling east, as the sun remains to the south, reducing window glare. Look for the Sierra Nevada crest approximately 30 minutes into the flight. This side is also excellent for viewing the 'City in a Forest' canopy as you descend into the northern Atlanta suburbs.
Get eSIMs for United States
Get eSIMs for United StatesDistance: 3,435 km (2,134 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 4 hrs 2 min
Departure: SFO (37.61899948120117, -122.375)
Arrival: ATL (33.6367, -84.428101)
Route Type: Domestic
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