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SFO → STL
Which side of the plane to sit from San Francisco International Airport (San Francisco) to St Louis Lambert International Airport (St. Louis)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side offers superior views of the High Sierras, the deepest parts of Lake Tahoe, the most dramatic Colorado Rocky peaks, and a better perspective of the approach into the Missouri River valley.
Lake Tahoe
Stunning views of the cobalt-blue alpine lake and the surrounding snow-capped Sierra Nevada mountains.
Great Basin
Deeply textured desert topography featuring the 'Basin and Range' geological formations across Nevada.
Colorado Rockies
A spectacular traverse over the highest peaks of the Continental Divide and the ski resorts of the Front Range.
Denver Skyline
Visible as the plane exits the mountains and begins its long descent across the High Plains.
Missouri River
Detailed views of the river's bends as you approach the St. Louis metropolitan area from the west.
The right side is ideal for afternoon flights as the sun will be behind or above the plane, illuminating the Rocky Mountains and the Missouri River. Keep an eye out for the Gateway Arch during the final approach if the plane circles from the south.
San Francisco Bay
Bird's-eye view of the Bay Bridge, Oakland skyline, and the salt ponds of the South Bay during departure.
Great Salt Lake
Aerial view of the northern portions of the lake and the stark, white Bonneville Salt Flats.
Wasatch Range
Dramatic jagged peaks north of Salt Lake City as the plane transitions into the Rocky Mountain region.
Platte River Valley
The winding river through Nebraska and the geometric green and gold patterns of center-pivot irrigation.
St. Louis Outskirts
Northern suburbs and the confluence of the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers during the descent into STL.
Sit on the left for early morning flights to avoid the direct glare of the southern sun. This side provides excellent views of the Great Salt Lake's unique color variations and the sprawling plains of Nebraska and Iowa.
Distance: 2,786 km (1,731 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 3 hrs 43 min
Departure: SFO (37.61899948120117, -122.375)
Arrival: STL (38.748697, -90.370003)
Route Type: Domestic
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