YVR to YYZ: which side of the plane should you sit on?
Vancouver (YVR) to Toronto (YYZ) is a 3,346 km (2,079 mi), roughly 4h 26m eastbound flight. Here is where the sun sits along that path, computed with the same astronomy as our live calculator.
On most daytime YVR to YYZ 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 | Right | Right |
| June solstice | Right | Right | Left |
| September equinox | Right | Right | Right |
| December solstice | Right | Right | Night |
What you’ll see on this flight
Views don't settle this one, so shade decides it. The left side is the better bet for less glare.
This route does not really pick a view side. The sunlight favors the right, so the left is the shade side. Pick left if you want the darker seat; either side still gets a few good looks.
Takeoff
On departure, depending on the runway in use, Vancouver can pass almost under you on the left as you climb out. The Strait of Georgia then comes up on the right about a minute in.
En route
- 8m inRight →Mount Baker
A few minutes after takeoff, Mount Baker sits on the right. It is a sharp volcano shape, easy to pick out if the air is clear.
- 44m in← LeftBanff National Park
About 44 minutes in, Banff National Park is off the left. You are looking for a wide mountain-and-park patch, not a single landmark.
- 52m in← LeftCalgary
Around 52 minutes in, Calgary is also on the left. From cruise altitude it reads as a broad city block rather than one obvious tower.
- 3h 26m in← LeftLake Superior
About three and a half hours in, Lake Superior stays on the left. It is the biggest water body on the route, so it should stand out as a huge blue sheet.
- 4h 05m inRight →Lake Huron · passes underneath
Near 245 minutes in, Lake Huron comes very close on the right. It passes almost under you, so the view is brief and steep.
Landing
On descent, depending on the runway in use, Brampton comes up almost under the right side about a minute before touchdown. Toronto is on the left, while Niagara Falls and Hamilton sit to the right.
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 YVR to YYZ?
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 YVR to YYZ 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 YVR to YYZ?
The great-circle distance is 3,346 km (2,079 mi), which works out to roughly 4h 26m 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 should I sit on from Vancouver to Toronto?
The left side is the shade side, so it is the better pick if you want less glare. Views are fairly even overall, so shade is the tie-breaker.
What do you see on this flight?
Early on you can catch Vancouver on the left and the Strait of Georgia on the right. Later, the route gives you Banff National Park, Calgary, Lake Superior, and then Lake Huron close to descent.