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SFO destination photo
MUC destination photo

SFOMUC

Our Recommendation
9.3

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.

Left Side Highlights
9.3
🌉

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.

Right Side Highlights
8.8
💻

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.

Top Activities in Munich
Route Information

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

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