ICN to SFO: which side of the plane should you sit on?
Seoul (ICN) to San Francisco (SFO) is a 9,085 km (5,645 mi), roughly 11h 11m eastbound flight. Here is where the sun sits along that path, computed with the same astronomy as our live calculator.
On most daytime ICN 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 | Both | Left |
| June solstice | Both | Left | Left |
| September equinox | Right | Left | Left |
| December solstice | Right | Right | Right |
What you’ll see on this flight
Left side wins on both views and shade.
Sit left. The views side and the shade side are the same here, so you get the better window and less glare.
Takeoff
On departure from ICN, the first few minutes favor the right for Seoul and the Korean Peninsula, depending on the runway in use. If you want the earliest clear view instead, the left side picks up Ganghwa Island very quickly.
En route
- 14m in← LeftMount Kumgang · passes underneath
About 14 minutes in, Mount Kumgang comes very close under the left side. It passes steeply and briefly, so keep your window ready.
- 56m in← LeftVladivostok
Around 56 minutes in, Vladivostok sits off the left side as a compact city shape near the water.
- 1h 57m inRight →La Pérouse Strait
Near 2 hours in, La Pérouse Strait appears on the right as a narrow band of water between two landmasses.
- 3h 31m in← LeftKurile Lake
A little past 3 and a half hours in, Kurile Lake is off the left side. It reads as a broad, dark lake shape from cruise height.
- 6h 24m in← LeftMount Okmok
Around 6 and a half hours in, Mount Okmok is on the left, close enough to stand out as a sharp volcanic form.
Landing
On approach to SFO, the left side stays the one to beat, depending on the runway in use. Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco both come into view on that side near touchdown, with San Francisco almost under the aircraft in the last minute.
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 ICN 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 ICN 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 ICN to SFO?
The great-circle distance is 9,085 km (5,645 mi), which works out to roughly 11h 11m in the air on this eastbound 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 of the plane should I sit on for ICN to SFO?
Sit on the left. That side has the stronger views, and it is also the shade side.
What can I see near San Francisco on arrival?
Near landing, the left side gets Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco, both very close to touchdown.