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SFO → CUN
Which side of the plane to sit from San Francisco International Airport (San Francisco) to Cancún International Airport (Cancun)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side provides a more diverse array of landmarks, including the best views of the San Francisco Bay Area upon departure, the dramatic geological formations of the American Southwest, and a high-probability view of the Cancun Hotel Zone on approach.
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San Francisco Bay
Aerial views of the Bay Bridge, East Bay hills, and the colorful salt ponds near Fremont.
Colorado Plateau
The striking red rock formations and deep canyons of Northern Arizona and New Mexico.
Sandia Mountains
The towering granite crest of the Sandias overlooking the Rio Grande Valley near Albuquerque.
Texas Gulf Coast
The expansive urban grid of Houston and the intricate bayous and shipping channels of the Gulf.
Cancun Hotel Zone
The famous '7' shaped sandbar and its turquoise lagoons during the final descent into CUN.
For the best photography, choose a seat ahead of the wing to avoid engine exhaust distortion. On morning departures, the sun will be on the right side of the plane for the first half of the flight, making the left side ideal for glare-free views of the desert. Keep your camera ready as you cross the shoreline of the Yucatan Peninsula.
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Monterey Bay
The deep blue arc of the California coast and the Santa Cruz mountains shortly after takeoff.
Sonoran Desert
The vast, arid expanses of Southern Arizona and the rugged terrain of the Mexican border.
Sierra Madre Oriental
The north-eastern edges of Mexico's great mountain range visible during the trans-Gulf crossing.
Isla Cozumel
Clear views of the island's white beaches and surrounding coral reefs before the final turn.
Yucatan Jungle
An endless carpet of dense tropical forest that covers the peninsula inland from the coast.
The right side is excellent for avoiding direct sunlight during the middle of the flight. Look for the Rio Grande as it winds through the desert. If the flight path approaches Cancun from the south, you will have an unparalleled view of the Great Maya Reef and the island of Cozumel.
Book Hotels in CancunDistance: 3,871 km (2,405 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 4 hrs 33 min
Departure: SFO (37.61899948120117, -122.375)
Arrival: CUN (21.036500930800003, -86.8770980835)
Route Type: International
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