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SFO → MSY
Which side of the plane to sit from San Francisco International Airport (San Francisco) to Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (New Orleans)?
Left Side of the Plane
The Left Side offers superior views of the Sierra Nevada range, the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, and the iconic descent over Lake Pontchartrain toward New Orleans.
SF Bay Area
Aerial views of the Golden Gate, Alcatraz, and the North Bay marshes during initial climb.
Sierra Nevada & Tahoe
Snow-capped peaks and the deep blue expanse of Lake Tahoe visible in the distance.
Grand Canyon North Rim
Dramatic red rock vistas and deep canyon carvings as the plane traverses the Southwest.
Sangre de Cristo Range
The rugged peaks of the Southern Rockies as the route crosses into New Mexico.
Lake Pontchartrain
The massive inland sea that marks the final approach into the New Orleans region.
Lake Pontchartrain Causeway
The world's longest bridge over water, extending across the lake towards the horizon.
Choose the left side for morning or afternoon flights to avoid direct southern sun glare. This side is essential for viewing the Sierra Nevada shortly after takeoff and the massive Causeway Bridge during the final descent. For the best photography of the canyonlands, aim for mid-flight window seats away from the wing.
Silicon Valley
Views of the tech hubs and the southern end of the San Francisco Peninsula.
Mojave Desert
The vast, arid landscapes of California's high desert and salt flats.
Las Vegas Strip
The iconic skyline of the Vegas Strip often visible if the route takes a more southern trajectory.
Meteor Crater
A perfectly preserved impact crater clearly visible in the Arizona desert landscape.
Atchafalaya Basin
The dense, winding bayous and cypress swamps of Louisiana during the descent.
New Orleans Skyline
A view of the Superdome and CBD if the flight patterns approach from the west over the river.
The right side is best for viewing the winding Mississippi River and the intricate network of bayous as you enter Louisiana. On night flights, you may catch the bright lights of Las Vegas if the path is southerly. Be aware that this side will experience significant sun glare during mid-day flights traveling east.
Distance: 3,069 km (1,907 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 3 hrs 37 min
Departure: SFO (37.61899948120117, -122.375)
Arrival: MSY (29.99340057373047, -90.25800323486328)
Route Type: Domestic
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