Auckland to Los Angeles flight path: AKL to LAX

Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Auckland to Los Angeles. Both takeoff and landing favor the right side, with volcanic Rangitoto and the Auckland skyline at departure and the San Gabriel Mountains and LA basin at arrival, while the roughly 12-hour open-ocean cruise offers no distinguishing scenery on either side.

During takeoff from Auckland International (AKL), sit on the Right side for the best views. Departing AKL on runway 23L, the aircraft climbs out over the Manukau Harbour and then turns north toward the Pacific track, bringing Auckland's city skyline, the volcanic cone of Rangitoto Island, and the Hauraki Gulf into view on the right side. The left side mainly shows the flat Manukau Harbour and Tasman-facing farmland. Notable sights include: Rangitoto Island, Hauraki Gulf, Auckland city skyline, Manukau Harbour.

When landing at Los Angeles International (LAX), sit on the Right side for the best views. On the west-flow arrival into LAX, aircraft descend over the Los Angeles basin before turning to land heading west, giving right-side passengers views of the San Gabriel Mountains, the San Fernando Valley, and the dense LA cityscape including Hollywood and Griffith Park's hills. Left-side views are dominated by the flatter southern basin and eventually the Pacific horizon. Notable sights include: San Gabriel Mountains, San Fernando Valley, Hollywood Hills, downtown Los Angeles skyline.

The flight from Auckland International (AKL) to Los Angeles International (LAX) takes 12h 35m.

Vast open Pacific Ocean with no landmasses visible; the flight path crosses far north of Fiji and Samoa and south of the main Hawaiian chain, over uninhabited deep ocean near the International Date Line.