Which side to sit on from Los Angeles to San Francisco?
Sit on the right side flying Los Angeles (LAX) to San Francisco (SFO). It has the better view on 37 of 41 daily flights, with Monterey Bay, Salt ponds and San Jose.
By time of day
| Departs | Side | Agree | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | Right | 11 of 15 flights | Monterey Bay, Marina del Rey, South Bay Salt Ponds |
| Afternoon | Right | 10 of 10 flights | Monterey Bay, Marina del Rey, South Bay Salt Ponds |
| Evening | Right | 16 of 16 flights | San Jose, Marina del Rey, Moffett Field and Hangar One |
What you'll see
- Channel Islands on the left, 11 min after takeoff
- Big Sur coast on the left, 32 min after takeoff
- Monterey Bay on the right, 37 min after takeoff
- San Jose on the right, 43 min after takeoff
- Apple Park on the right, 44 min after takeoff
- NUQ on the right, 45 min after takeoff
- Googleplex on the right, 46 min after takeoff
- Stanford on the left, 46 min after takeoff
- Salt ponds on the right, 47 min after takeoff
- Mt. Diablo on the right, 48 min after takeoff
- San Mateo Bridge on the right, 49 min after takeoff
- Crystal Springs on the left, 50 min after takeoff
Based on 41 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 Los Angeles to San Francisco?
The left. This flight heads north, so the western sky is on the left. Open your exact flight in Window Seat to see if it's in the air at sunset.
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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