HKG to SFO: which side of the plane should you sit on?
Hong Kong (HKG) to San Francisco (SFO) is a 11,128 km (6,915 mi), roughly 13h 35m northbound flight. Here is where the sun sits along that path, computed with the same astronomy as our live calculator.
On most daytime HKG to SFO departures the sun favors the right side — sit on the left (an A seat) for shade.
Sun side by season and departure time
| Season | Morning (8 am) | Midday (1 pm) | Evening (6 pm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| March equinox | Right | Left | Right |
| June solstice | Left | Left | Left |
| September equinox | Right | Left | Right |
| December solstice | Right | Right | Right |
What you’ll see on this flight
Views do not decide this route. The shade side has the better case, so that is the safer pick.
You get a mixed route with no clear views winner. The shade side has the edge, so follow that unless you want to trade comfort for scenery.
Takeoff
After departure from HKG, depending on the runway in use, you may see Hong Kong on the right and Macau on the left as the climb starts. Hong Kong Island also sits to the right early on, while Dongguan and Zhuhai fall to the left.
En route
- 51m in← LeftWuyi Mountains
About 50 minutes in, the Wuyi Mountains appear on the left as a long mountain mass, then slide away.
- 2h 28m inRight →Tsushima Island
Around two and a half hours in, Tsushima Island comes up on the right as a compact island shape before the route keeps north.
- 2h 31m inRight →Korea Strait
Right after that, the Korea Strait sits on the right. It reads as open water, not a fixed landmark, so the view is brief and broad.
- 3h 53m inRight →Shirakami-Sanchi
About four hours in, Shirakami-Sanchi is on the right. It passes well off to that side, so you get a quick look rather than a long hold.
- 4h 37m inRight →Kunashir Island
Later, Kunashir Island stays on the right, followed by Iturup. These are distant island outlines, best seen as the cabin stays high.
Landing
On descent into SFO, depending on the runway in use, the left side picks up the best final moments. Alcatraz Island comes up on the left first, then the Golden Gate Bridge passes almost under you and flashes by quickly. Oakland, San Jose, and Fremont also sit to the left as you come down.
Sides and timings are computed from this route’s geometry. What you actually see depends on weather, air-traffic routing, and the runway in use on the day.
Frequently asked
Which side of the plane avoids the sun from HKG to SFO?
Across typical daytime departures, the sun predominantly hits the right side of the aircraft, so the left side stays shadier. Seat letters start at the left window, so choose an A seat.
Which side has the sunset views on HKG to SFO flights?
For sunrise or sunset views, sit on the side the table marks as the sun side for your departure time — that is where the light is.
How long is the flight from HKG to SFO?
The great-circle distance is 11,128 km (6,915 mi), which works out to roughly 13h 35m in the air on this northbound routing. Winds and routing move the real block time around that estimate.
Does the date or departure time change the answer?
Yes — that is why the table shows both. The sun's path shifts with the season, and a morning departure can put the glare on the opposite side compared to an evening one. For a specific flight, the calculator samples the sun along the whole route for your exact date and time.
Which side should I sit on for HKG to SFO views?
Views are close to even, but the shade side has the better overall edge on this route.
Will I see the Golden Gate Bridge on arrival into SFO?
Yes. It is on the left side near landing, and it passes almost under the aircraft.