which side to sit for views of SF (East coast flights)
May 5, 2022, 10:56 am
#16
Moderator: Chase Ultimate Rewards
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 2P, MR LT Plat, IHG Plat, BW Dia, HH Au, Avis PC
Posts: 5,455
Looks like you did the straight out takeoff where you cut across the peninsula just south of the city, go out over the ocean a little bit, then turn right to fly back toward the east. It's breathtaking on a clear day!
May 5, 2022, 12:10 pm
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
Programs: Jumbo mas
Posts: 38,633
Yup. Ticks me off when people get on the plane and slam the window shades shut.
May 6, 2022, 11:55 am
#18
formerly PrePress420
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: SFO, Seat 2J
Posts: 423
From SFO to AMS, I like to get a right side window seat taking off from 28r so I can take pictures of San Francisco as it Banks to the right. However a left side seat is nice when taking the polar route because you get a good look at the Northern lights, also known as the dancing curtain, so it's a bit of a trade-off. On the return from AMS, I like the right side so I can see the North Pole as it were. Also the sun is not in my eyes from the southern view of the left side of the plane.
Jul 10, 2022, 5:45 am
#19
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: London & Sonoma CA
Programs: UA 1K, MM *G for life, BAEC Gold
Posts: 10,225
From SFO to AMS, I like to get a right side window seat taking off from 28r so I can take pictures of San Francisco as it Banks to the right. However a left side seat is nice when taking the polar route because you get a good look at the Northern lights, also known as the dancing curtain, so it's a bit of a trade-off. On the return from AMS, I like the right side so I can see the North Pole as it were. Also the sun is not in my eyes from the southern view of the left side of the plane.
But I disagree on the approach to SFO from Europe. You want to be on the left. First, you lose the sun once past Hudson Bay as the plane starts to head south. Second, the approach is usually past Point Reyes and then turns and flies to the right of the Bridge which affords stunning views of the Bridge and the City. Often it then continues down the coast with a turn around the Campanile at Stanford.