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SFO → CLT
Which side of the plane to sit from San Francisco International Airport (San Francisco) to Charlotte Douglas International Airport (Charlotte)?
Left Side of the Plane
The Left Side is superior for this route as it offers the iconic aerial view of the San Francisco Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge upon departure, followed by a direct view of Lake Tahoe and the northern Rocky Mountains.
Search flights from SFO to CLT
San Francisco Bay
Aerial views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, and the city skyline immediately after takeoff.
Lake Tahoe
One of the clearest views of this alpine lake occurs about 20-30 minutes into the flight.
Sierra Nevada Range
Jagged, snow-capped peaks including the northern stretches of the Sierra Nevada mountains.
Northern Rockies
Dramatic views of the Colorado and Wyoming mountain ranges during the mid-flight segment.
Kansas City
Clear views of the urban sprawl and the winding Missouri River as you cross into the Midwest.
For the best views of San Francisco, choose a seat forward of the wing to avoid engine exhaust distortion. On morning flights, the sun will be on the right (south) side of the plane, making the left side much better for photography with even lighting. Watch for Lake Tahoe approximately 100 miles east of SFO; it is most vibrant during the spring when the surrounding peaks are snow-covered.
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Yosemite National Park
Glimpse the granite domes and valleys of the central Sierras to the south of the flight path.
Canyonlands
The colorful, stratified rock layers of southern Utah and Colorado are visible in clear weather.
Mississippi River
A massive geographic marker crossing the heart of the United States.
Appalachian Mountains
The ancient, rolling green ridges of the Blue Ridge Mountains appear during the descent.
Uptown Charlotte
The skyline of Charlotte, known as Uptown, is often visible on the right during the final approach.
The right side is ideal for afternoon or evening flights to catch the sunset over the wing. As you approach Charlotte, the landing pattern often circles the city from the south, giving right-side passengers a panoramic view of the skyline. Keep an eye out for the distinctive meanders of the Mississippi River roughly 3.5 hours into the flight. Use a polarizing filter if taking photos to cut through atmospheric haze over the plains.
Book Hotels in CharlotteDistance: 3,687 km (2,291 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 4 hrs 20 min
Departure: SFO (37.61899948120117, -122.375)
Arrival: CLT (35.2140007019043, -80.94309997558594)
Route Type: Domestic
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