About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Austin Bergstrom International (AUS) to Mc Carran International (LAS)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Austin to Las Vegas. The left side wins at takeoff for Austin's skyline and Hill Country lakes, but the right side delivers the more dramatic payoff: the Las Vegas Strip approach is one of the most visually striking urban arrivals in the US, and the right side also captures the Mojave Desert transition and Lake Mead during descent. On balance, right side wins the full flight.
What can I see during takeoff from Austin Bergstrom International in Austin?
During takeoff from Austin Bergstrom International (AUS), sit on the Left side for the best views. ABIA's primary departure runway 17L/35R means northbound departures climb out heading roughly northwest. The left side captures downtown Austin's skyline, the Colorado River, and Lake Travis in the Hill Country to the west. Right side gets suburban sprawl toward Bastrop. Notable sights include: Downtown Austin skyline, Colorado River bends, Lake Travis (Hill Country reservoir), Barton Creek greenbelt.
What can I see when landing at Mc Carran International in Las Vegas?
When landing at Mc Carran International (LAS), sit on the Right side for the best views. Las Vegas McCarran typically uses runways 26L/R for westbound arrivals or 19L/R for southbound traffic. On the common approach from the east or southeast, the right side gives a direct view of the Las Vegas Strip, Frenchman Mountain, and Lake Mead to the northeast. Left side faces the Spring Mountains and Red Rock Canyon, which are also scenic but the Strip is the headline feature. Notable sights include: Las Vegas Strip casino corridor, Lake Mead (Colorado River reservoir), Frenchman Mountain, Spring Mountains / Charleston Peak to the west.
How long is the flight from Austin to Las Vegas?
The flight from Austin Bergstrom International (AUS) to Mc Carran International (LAS) takes Approximately 2 hours 30 minutes.
What does the Austin to Las Vegas flight path pass over?
The route crosses the Permian Basin of west Texas (flat, oil-field dotted desert), the Guadalupe Mountains near the Texas-New Mexico border including Guadalupe Peak (highest point in Texas at 8,751 ft), the Chihuahuan Desert of southern New Mexico, the Rio Grande valley near El Paso, then the Sonoran and Mojave Desert transition through southern Arizona and Nevada. The Colorado River crossing near Hoover Dam is visible on descent into Las Vegas.