Loading map...
SFO → MUC
Which side of the plane to sit from San Francisco International Airport (San Francisco) to Munich Airport (Munich)?
Left Side of the Plane
The Left Side is favored for this transatlantic crossing, offering iconic views of the San Francisco Bay at departure, the most dramatic glacial fjords along the southern coast of Greenland, and a better angle for the UK coastline.
Golden Gate Bridge
Unmatched aerial views of the bridge, Alcatraz, and the Marin Headlands shortly after takeoff from SFO.
Mount Shasta
A prominent view of the massive, snow-capped stratovolcano in Northern California's Cascade Range.
Greenland Fjords
Stunning vistas of deep, ice-choked valleys and jagged mountain peaks along the southern tip of Greenland.
Icelandic Coast
The rugged, volcanic landscape of Southern Iceland, often visible depending on the specific flight track.
British Isles
First sightings of the European continent, typically featuring the green landscapes of Scotland or Northern England.
Bavarian Countryside
Picturesque views of German villages, forests, and the rolling hills of the Isar Valley during descent.
Sit on the left for the best chance to see the Aurora Borealis during the dark hours of the flight over Northern Canada and the Atlantic. For the Greenland crossing, which usually happens 5-6 hours in, use the flight map to time your window opening to avoid waking other passengers with the bright ice reflections.
Silicon Valley
A view of the high-tech campuses and the colorful salt evaporation ponds in the South San Francisco Bay.
The Canadian Shield
The vast, lake-filled wilderness of central Canada and the massive frozen expanse of Hudson Bay.
Greenland Ice Cap
The immense and blindingly white interior ice sheet, showcasing one of the most remote places on Earth.
North Sea Wind Farms
Large-scale offshore wind energy arrays visible near the coasts of the Netherlands and Northern Germany.
Frankfurt Skyline
Distant views of 'Mainhattan' and its clusters of skyscrapers if the flight path tracks through central Germany.
Bavarian Alps
On the final approach into Munich, the right side often provides a breathtaking panoramic view of the Alps to the south.
The right side is ideal for capturing the sunrise over the Atlantic as you approach Europe. During the final 20 minutes of the flight, keep your camera ready for the Alps; even if the plane isn't flying directly over them, they provide a stunning backdrop to the Bavarian landscape.
Distance: 9,437 km (5,864 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 11 hrs 6 min
Departure: SFO (37.61899948120117, -122.375)
Arrival: MUC (48.353802, 11.7861)
Route Type: International
Thank you for booking your travels through our travel partners. The commissions from your bookings keep this site running.