Which side to sit on from San Francisco to New York?
Sit on the left side flying San Francisco (SFO) to New York (JFK). It has the better view on 21 of 22 daily flights, with SF, Lake Tahoe and Oakland.
By time of day
| Departs | Side | Agree | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | Left | 9 of 9 flights | San Francisco, Lake Tahoe, LaGuardia Airport |
| Afternoon | Left | 7 of 7 flights | San Francisco, LaGuardia Airport, Milwaukee |
| Evening | Left | 5 of 6 flights | Oakland, LaGuardia Airport, San Francisco |
What you'll see
- SF on the left, 1 min after takeoff
- Oakland on the left, 3 min after takeoff
- Salt ponds on the right, 3 min after takeoff
- Lake Tahoe on the left, 22 min after takeoff
- Half Dome on the right, 26 min after takeoff
- Mono Lake on the right, 27 min after takeoff
- Wheeler Peak on the right, 52 min after takeoff
- Wasatch Range on the left, 70 min after takeoff
- Lake Erie on the right, 241 min after takeoff
- Central Park on the right, 283 min after takeoff
- NYC on the right, 284 min after takeoff
- Brooklyn Bridge on the right, 284 min after takeoff
Based on 22 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 San Francisco to New York?
Either side. This flight heads east, so the sunset is behind 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 left 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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Yes. No account, no ads.
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