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SFO → MEX
Which side of the plane to sit from San Francisco International Airport (San Francisco) to Licenciado Benito Juarez International Airport (Mexico City)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side provides the most iconic views of the San Francisco Bay at departure and the legendary twin volcanoes near Mexico City during the final approach.
Search flights from SFO to MEX
SF Bay Area
Sweeping views of the Bay Bridge, downtown skyscrapers, and the East Bay hills upon departure.
Sierra Nevada
Distant but clear views of snow-capped peaks and the rugged terrain of eastern California.
Sierra Madre Occidental
Fly over the high-altitude pine-oak forests and deep canyons of western Mexico.
Popocatépetl Volcano
The iconic snow-capped peaks of the twin volcanoes often appear on the left during the descent.
Mexico City Basin
Aerial view of the massive urban sprawl as the plane enters the Valley of Mexico.
Book an 'A' seat for morning flights to see the sunrise over the Sierras. During winter, look for snow on the high peaks of the Sierra Madre Occidental. The final 20 minutes are crucial for spotting the volcanoes as the plane maneuvers for landing.
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Monterey Bay
Stunning views of the curved coastline and Santa Cruz mountains shortly after takeoff.
Channel Islands
Look out for the rocky archipelago off the coast of Southern California during mid-flight.
Gulf of California
Vibrant turquoise waters where the desert meets the sea near the Baja Peninsula.
Nevado de Toluca
Views of the majestic extinct volcano and its crater lakes during the approach.
Western Suburbs
Observation of the Toluca Valley and industrial hubs before crossing into the Mexico City metro area.
Opt for an 'F' seat to capture the Pacific coastline. In late summer, keep an eye out for tropical storm formations over the Gulf of California. Evening flights offer spectacular sunsets over the ocean while flying southward.
Book Hotels in Mexico CityDistance: 3,028 km (1,882 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 3 hrs 34 min
Departure: SFO (37.61899948120117, -122.375)
Arrival: MEX (19.4363, -99.072098)
Route Type: International
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