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SFO → MCI
Which side of the plane to sit from San Francisco International Airport (San Francisco) to Kansas City International Airport (Kansas City)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side offers a more direct view of the dramatic granite peaks of the Sierra Nevada, including the Yosemite region, and provides a spectacular perspective of the Colorado Front Range peaks as you cross the Continental Divide.
Search flights from SFO to MCI
Yosemite & High Sierra
Unparalleled views of the granite domes and glacial valleys of the central Sierra Nevada range.
Mono Lake
The eerie, ancient saline soda lake located in the high desert east of the Sierras.
Utah Canyons
Glimpses of the red rock country and deep river-carved canyons of southern Utah.
Colorado High Peaks
Direct views of the highest summits in the Rockies, including 14ers like Pikes Peak further south.
Kansas City Metro
Panoramic views of the Missouri River and the downtown Kansas City skyline during the final descent into MCI.
The right side is the 'scenic' winner for mountain lovers. Watch for Yosemite about 20-30 minutes after takeoff. Note that afternoon flights may suffer from heavy sun glare on this side; use a polarizer on your camera if possible. During the descent into Kansas City, the right side often gets a better view of the Missouri River curves.
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San Francisco Bay
Aerial views of the Bay Bridge, Oakland, and the Berkeley Hills shortly after departure from SFO.
Lake Tahoe
The northern shores and deep blue waters of the Sierra Nevada's most famous alpine lake.
Great Salt Lake
The shimmering salt flats and distinct color variations of the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere.
Rocky Mountain National Park
Snow-capped peaks and rugged terrain of the northern Colorado Rockies as you head toward the plains.
Nebraska Sandhills
The unique undulating patterns of the grass-stabilized sand dunes in central Nebraska.
Sit on the left for morning flights to avoid the direct southern glare. This side is ideal for spotting the Great Salt Lake and the massive expanses of the northern Great Plains. During winter, look for the stark contrast between the white snow and the dark forest lines of the Rockies.
Get eSIMs for United States
Get eSIMs for United StatesDistance: 2,406 km (1,495 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 3 hrs 12 min
Departure: SFO (37.61899948120117, -122.375)
Arrival: MCI (39.2976, -94.713898)
Route Type: Domestic
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