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STL → SFO
Which side of the plane to sit from St Louis Lambert International Airport (St. Louis) to San Francisco International Airport (San Francisco)?
Right Side of the Plane
The Right Side provides a superior panorama of the Rocky Mountain National Park, the Great Salt Lake, and the iconic San Francisco skyline during the standard approach into SFO.
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Denver & Front Range
The urban sprawl of Denver set against the dramatic wall of the Rocky Mountains.
Great Salt Lake
Marvel at the stark color contrast and salt pans of Utah's massive inland sea.
Lake Tahoe
The crystal blue waters of the Tahoe basin nestled in the Sierra Nevada mountains.
Napa & Sonoma
Lush green vineyard rows of Northern California's wine country during the approach.
San Francisco Skyline
Iconic views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz, and the city's hills on the standard 'Downwind' arrival.
Choose the right side for the most iconic arrival views. For the best experience, monitor the approach; if landing on Runways 28L/R, the plane often flies north over the city before turning back, providing a perfect view of the bridge. This side also avoids the harsh afternoon sun on westward flights.
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Mississippi River
View the winding river and the Gateway Arch shortly after departure from St. Louis.
Canyonlands & Arches
The dramatic red rock formations and deep plateaus of southern Utah are visible during the cruise phase.
Southern Rockies
Vistas of the massive Colorado 'Fourteeners' and the Pikes Peak region.
Yosemite Region
Glaciated granite peaks and the high wilderness of the southern Sierra Nevada range.
Silicon Valley
Bird's-eye view of the South Bay tech campuses during the final descent into SFO.
The left side is ideal for morning flights to avoid direct sunlight and glare. It offers a closer look at the rugged desert landscapes of the Southwest. If the flight path takes a southern route, you may catch the northern rim of the Grand Canyon.
Get eSIMs for United States
Get eSIMs for United StatesDistance: 2,786 km (1,731 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 3 hrs 43 min
Departure: STL (38.748697, -90.370003)
Arrival: SFO (37.61899948120117, -122.375)
Route Type: Domestic
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