Which side to sit on from Washington to San Francisco?
Sit on the right side flying Washington (IAD) to San Francisco (SFO). It has the better view on 5 of 9 daily flights, with Mono Lake, Longs Peak and Wheeler Peak.
By time of day
| Departs | Side | Agree | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | Right | 3 of 3 flights | South Bay Salt Ponds, Mono Lake, Wheeler Peak |
| Afternoon | Right | 2 of 3 flights | South Bay Salt Ponds, Mono Lake, Wheeler Peak |
| Evening | Left | 3 of 3 flights | San Jose, Denver, Indianapolis |
What you'll see
- Longs Peak on the right, 177 min after takeoff
- Mt. Elbert on the left, 183 min after takeoff
- Maroon Bells on the left, 187 min after takeoff
- Wheeler Peak on the right, 234 min after takeoff
- Sierra Nevada crest on the left, 264 min after takeoff
- Mono Lake on the right, 265 min after takeoff
- Half Dome on the left, 269 min after takeoff
- Altamont Wind on the right, 284 min after takeoff
- Monterey Bay on the left, 287 min after takeoff
- San Jose on the left, 287 min after takeoff
- Salt ponds on the right, 289 min after takeoff
- NUQ on the left, 289 min after takeoff
Based on 9 daily nonstop flights and the real paths they flew in the last 10 days. No clouds: within 3 days of departure, pick your exact flight for the cloud forecast.
Questions
Which side is best for the sunset from Washington to San Francisco?
Either side. This flight heads west, so the sunset is ahead of you. Open your exact flight in Window Seat for its sun and glare.
Is the left side of the plane seat A?
Yes. On almost every airline, seat A is the left window when you face the front. The right window is the highest letter in the row, usually F, K or L.
Does the best side change by flight?
It can. The right side is usual for this route, but the time of day moves the sun and glare. Pick your exact flight for its own answer, with the cloud forecast within 3 days.
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How it works
- 1Real flights, not straight linesWe pull about 20 recent flights on your route, so the path matches how planes actually fly it.
- 2Score every window6,500 rated landmarks, the sun and glare, sunsets, city lights and, within 3 days of your flight, the cloud forecast.
- 3Book the right seatYou get the side, when to look, and the rows without a window to skip.
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Questions
Is the left side of the plane seat A?
Yes. On almost every airline, seat A is the left window when you face the front. The right window is the highest letter in the row, usually F, K or L.
Which side is best for the sunset?
It depends on your direction and the time. Flying west in the evening, the sunset is ahead of you, so either side works. Flying north, it's on the left. Window Seat works it out for your exact flight.
Which side do I sit on to see Mount Rainier?
Flying south out of Seattle, the left. Flying into Seattle from the south, usually the right. See Seattle to Los Angeles.
Does it work for any flight?
Any nonstop between 3,000 airports worldwide. Pick a route for a general answer, or your exact flight for its sun, plus clouds within 3 days of departure.
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