About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International (ATL) to Los Angeles International (LAX)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Atlanta to Los Angeles. Right side wins both ends of the flight. During the cruise over the Southwest, the right side also faces south toward the Sonoran Desert, the Colorado River crossing, and the Mojave terrain on descent — consistently more visually interesting than the left side's view of northern Arizona plateau.
What can I see during takeoff from The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International in Atlanta?
During takeoff from The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International (ATL), sit on the Right side for the best views. ATL's primary westbound departures use runways 26L/26R, heading west-northwest. The right side gives you a clear look south over the Atlanta metro sprawl, Stone Mountain to the east, and the Piedmont terrain dropping away. Left side faces north toward downtown Atlanta but quickly turns away as the aircraft banks. Notable sights include: Stone Mountain (distinctive granite dome to the east), Atlanta downtown skyline, Lake Allatoona to the northwest, Chattahoochee River corridor.
What can I see when landing at Los Angeles International in Los Angeles?
When landing at Los Angeles International (LAX), sit on the Right side for the best views. LAX's most common arrival from the east uses runways 24L/24R, approaching from the east over Inglewood and touching down heading west toward the ocean. The right side faces north, giving you the Santa Monica Mountains, the Los Angeles Basin grid, and the Hollywood Hills. Left side looks south over Inglewood and El Segundo with less dramatic scenery. Notable sights include: Santa Monica Mountains, Los Angeles Basin urban grid, Hollywood Hills, Santa Monica Bay coastline.
How long is the flight from Atlanta to Los Angeles?
The flight from The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International (ATL) to Los Angeles International (LAX) takes Approximately 4 hours 30 minutes.
What does the Atlanta to Los Angeles flight path pass over?
The flight crosses the Alabama-Mississippi border, then tracks over central Mississippi and Louisiana before cutting across Texas. Over west Texas the Guadalupe Mountains and the Davis Mountains are visible as isolated ranges rising from the Chihuahuan Desert floor. The Rio Grande valley near El Paso is a notable landmark, followed by the Sonoran Desert of southern Arizona, the Colorado River crossing near Blythe, and the Mojave Desert on the final approach into the LA Basin.