The right side wins because of what happens during cruise and arrival: passengers get glimpses of the Rocky Mountain front range and the Wasatch/Great Basin terrain around Utah before the truly dramatic payoff on descent into LAX, with the San Gabriel Mountains and downtown LA skyline unfolding right outside the window. The left side's advantage is limited to the brief Boston skyline view at takeoff.
Flight Path
Appalachian ridgelines over western Massachusetts and New York, the Great Lakes plains, the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains near Denver, and the high desert basins of Utah and Nevada before descending toward the Mojave and Los Angeles basin.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from BOS
LEFTDeparting Logan, aircraft climb out over the harbor and then bank south before turning west, putting the Boston skyline, Charles River, and downtown high-rises on the left side of the cabin. The right side mostly just shows open harbor water and outer islands, which is less visually interesting.
Landing at LAX
RIGHTOn the west-flow approach into LAX, planes descend from the east with the nose pointed west, putting the San Gabriel Mountains and downtown Los Angeles skyline off to the right (north) side of the aircraft. The left side mainly shows the flatter South Bay and Palos Verdes Peninsula, which is comparatively unremarkable.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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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 General Edward Lawrence Logan International (BOS) to Los Angeles International (LAX)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Boston to Los Angeles. The right side wins because of what happens during cruise and arrival: passengers get glimpses of the Rocky Mountain front range and the Wasatch/Great Basin terrain around Utah before the truly dramatic payoff on descent into LAX, with the San Gabriel Mountains and downtown LA skyline unfolding right outside the window. The left side's advantage is limited to the brief Boston skyline view at takeoff.
What can I see during takeoff from General Edward Lawrence Logan International in Boston?
During takeoff from General Edward Lawrence Logan International (BOS), sit on the Left side for the best views. Departing Logan, aircraft climb out over the harbor and then bank south before turning west, putting the Boston skyline, Charles River, and downtown high-rises on the left side of the cabin. The right side mostly just shows open harbor water and outer islands, which is less visually interesting. Notable sights include: Boston skyline, Charles River, Boston Harbor Islands, Logan Airport waterfront.
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. On the west-flow approach into LAX, planes descend from the east with the nose pointed west, putting the San Gabriel Mountains and downtown Los Angeles skyline off to the right (north) side of the aircraft. The left side mainly shows the flatter South Bay and Palos Verdes Peninsula, which is comparatively unremarkable. Notable sights include: San Gabriel Mountains, Downtown Los Angeles skyline, Hollywood Hills, Griffith Observatory ridge.
How long is the flight from Boston to Los Angeles?
The flight from General Edward Lawrence Logan International (BOS) to Los Angeles International (LAX) takes 6h 15m.
What does the Boston to Los Angeles flight path pass over?
Appalachian ridgelines over western Massachusetts and New York, the Great Lakes plains, the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains near Denver, and the high desert basins of Utah and Nevada before descending toward the Mojave and Los Angeles basin.