Atlanta to Los Angeles flight pathATLLAX

Sit on the right side of the plane

Reverse

Which side of the plane?

Pick the window seat with the view. 13,500 routes answered — landmarks, coastlines and cities, wing by wing.

Flight time4h 30m
Distance1,942
Heading280° → 261°
Best side
Right
★ 2.5 left·★ 4.0 right

The right (north) side captures the Atlanta skyline at departure and, more importantly, the dramatic San Gabriel Mountains and LA basin during the descent into LAX. The left side is dominated by flatter Gulf Coast plains and desert with no comparable visual payoff.

Takeoff · ATLRIGHTDowntown Atlanta skyline, Chattahoochee River, distant Blue Ridge foothills to the north
Landing · LAXRIGHTSan Gabriel Mountains, Downtown Los Angeles skyline, San Gabriel Valley sprawl

Flight Path

Flight path overview

Mississippi River near Vicksburg, the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area, the Permian Basin oil fields of West Texas, the Rio Grande near El Paso, and the Sonoran Desert stretching across southern New Mexico and Arizona

Great circle distance and headings ›

Phase by phase

Aerial window seat view during takeoff from Atlanta (right side) — Downtown Atlanta skyline, Chattahoochee River, distant Blue Ridge foothills to the north

Takeoff from ATL

RIGHT

ATL sits just south of downtown Atlanta, so climbing out westbound puts the skyline and the Chattahoochee River on the right side of the plane. The left side only shows flat suburban sprawl with nothing distinctive.

Downtown Atlanta skylineChattahoochee Riverdistant Blue Ridge foothills to the north
Aerial window seat view during landing at Los Angeles (right side) — San Gabriel Mountains, Downtown Los Angeles skyline, San Gabriel Valley sprawl, Verdugo Mountains

Landing at LAX

RIGHT

Arrivals into LAX from the east descend over the San Gabriel Valley, putting the abrupt wall of the San Gabriel Mountains and the downtown LA skyline on the right side of the aircraft. The left side only shows flatter South Bay suburbs and open ocean.

San Gabriel MountainsDowntown Los Angeles skylineSan Gabriel Valley sprawlVerdugo Mountains

Will your flight be in sunlight?

See exactly which side of the plane gets sun and shade at your departure time.

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. The right (north) side captures the Atlanta skyline at departure and, more importantly, the dramatic San Gabriel Mountains and LA basin during the descent into LAX. The left side is dominated by flatter Gulf Coast plains and desert with no comparable visual payoff.

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 sits just south of downtown Atlanta, so climbing out westbound puts the skyline and the Chattahoochee River on the right side of the plane. The left side only shows flat suburban sprawl with nothing distinctive. Notable sights include: Downtown Atlanta skyline, Chattahoochee River, distant Blue Ridge foothills to the north.

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. Arrivals into LAX from the east descend over the San Gabriel Valley, putting the abrupt wall of the San Gabriel Mountains and the downtown LA skyline on the right side of the aircraft. The left side only shows flatter South Bay suburbs and open ocean. Notable sights include: San Gabriel Mountains, Downtown Los Angeles skyline, San Gabriel Valley sprawl, Verdugo Mountains.

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 4h 30m.

What does the Atlanta to Los Angeles flight path pass over?

Mississippi River near Vicksburg, the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area, the Permian Basin oil fields of West Texas, the Rio Grande near El Paso, and the Sonoran Desert stretching across southern New Mexico and Arizona