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SFO → DUB
Which side of the plane to sit from San Francisco International Airport (San Francisco) to Dublin Airport (Dublin)?
Left Side of the Plane
The Left Side is superior for this northern route as it faces the arctic circle, maximizing your chances of witnessing the Aurora Borealis and providing the most extensive views of the Greenland ice cap.
Golden Gate & Marin
Aerial views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the rugged Marin Headlands during the initial climb out of SFO.
Canadian Rockies
Dramatic snow-capped peaks of the northern range as the flight tracks northeast across the border.
Hudson Bay
The vast, desolate beauty of the frozen bay and the swirling patterns of sea ice in the Canadian subarctic.
Greenland Ice Sheet
A breathtaking panorama of the massive polar ice cap, showing deep blue crevasses and the high-altitude frozen interior.
Aurora Borealis
On nighttime flights, this side looks directly north, offering the best perspective for the Northern Lights.
Donegal Coastline
The first sight of Europe often includes the jagged cliffs and deep green inlets of the northwest Irish coast.
Choose a window seat forward of the wing to avoid engine glare when searching for the Aurora Borealis. The Northern Lights are most visible during the dark middle-third of the flight between Canada and Greenland. Keep your window shade down unless viewing to help your eyes adjust to the darkness.
SF Skyline & Bay Bridge
A sweeping view of downtown San Francisco, the Salesforce Tower, and the East Bay as the plane gains altitude.
The Canadian Shield
The intricate network of thousands of small lakes and dense boreal forests across northern Ontario and Quebec.
South Greenland Fjords
Stunning views of the coastal mountains and glacial valleys where the ice sheet meets the North Atlantic.
Transatlantic Sunrise
A spectacular high-altitude sunrise that occurs rapidly as the plane travels east toward the approaching dawn.
Dublin Bay
Excellent views of Howth Head, the Bull Island nature reserve, and the Irish Sea during the final descent.
Expect the sunrise to occur very early in the flight relative to your body clock; be prepared with an eye mask if you intend to sleep. For the best arrival views, this side often sees the Dublin city center and the iconic Poolbeg Chimneys depending on the wind direction and runway in use.
Distance: 8,183 km (5,085 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 9 hrs 38 min
Departure: SFO (37.61899948120117, -122.375)
Arrival: DUB (53.421299, -6.27007)
Route Type: International
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