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YVR → PSP
Which side of the plane to sit from Vancouver International Airport (Vancouver) to Palm Springs International Airport (Palm Springs)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side of the aircraft offers a spectacular parade of the Cascade Range volcanoes, including iconic peaks like Mt. Rainier and Mt. Shasta, and a dramatic approach over the San Bernardino Mountains into the Coachella Valley.
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Mount Baker
Visible shortly after takeoff, this massive glaciated volcano dominates the horizon south of the Canadian border.
Mount Rainier
The highest peak in the Cascades, appearing as a massive white island of ice and rock piercing the clouds.
Mount St. Helens
Look for the distinctive horseshoe-shaped crater left by the 1980 eruption as you fly over southern Washington.
Mount Hood
Oregon's highest peak sits just east of Portland, offering a perfect conical profile.
Mount Shasta
A massive double-peaked stratovolcano in Northern California that remains visible for a significant portion of the flight.
Coachella Valley
On final approach, you'll see the lush green golf courses of the valley contrasting sharply with the rugged desert mountains.
Choose the left side for morning flights to get the best illumination on the volcanic peaks without sun glare. These landmarks appear in rapid succession during the first 60-90 minutes. Keep your camera ready as you pass Portland for the best view of Mt. Hood. In winter, the snow-covered Sierra Nevada range further south adds a brilliant white contrast to the landscape.
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Olympic Mountains
On clear days, the jagged, snow-capped peaks of the Olympic Peninsula are visible to the west across the Salish Sea.
Willamette Valley
The lush, green patchwork of Oregon's premier wine country stretches out beneath the wing.
Crater Lake
If the flight path is slightly inland, you can catch a glimpse of the deepest, bluest lake in the United States inside its volcanic caldera.
Central Valley
The vast agricultural heart of California creates a unique geometric grid pattern of orchards and fields.
San Andreas Fault
As the plane descends toward Palm Springs, the geological scar of the fault line is often visible along the desert floor.
The right side is ideal for afternoon flights to avoid the harsh glare of the setting sun. While less mountainous than the left, it offers better views of the Pacific coastline's distant silhouette and the intricate patterns of the California Central Valley. Watch for the dramatic transition from green valleys to the stark Mojave Desert during the final 45 minutes of the flight.
Book Hotels in Palm SpringsDistance: 1,795 km (1,115 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 2 hrs 24 min
Departure: YVR (49.193901061999995, -123.183998108)
Arrival: PSP (33.829700469970696, -116.50700378417967)
Route Type: International
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