Buffalo to Los Angeles flight pathBUFLAX

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 time5h 30m
Distance2,213
Heading267° → 242°
Best side
RightMostly right

While the left side wins at takeoff for Niagara Falls, the right side delivers more consistently across the full flight — the Rocky Mountains in Colorado and Utah are on the right side heading westbound, and the Los Angeles Basin arrival view is superior on the right. The Rockies alone make it worth it.

Flown BUF to LAX? Did we get it right?

Flight Path

Flight path overview

Buffalo to Los Angeles is 2,213 miles (3,561 km), a flight of about 5 hours 30 minutes.

The flight tracks roughly along 40-42N latitude westbound, crossing the Allegheny Plateau in Pennsylvania, then the flat Ohio and Indiana farmland, Chicago metro area or just south of it, across Iowa and Nebraska plains, the Colorado Rockies including the Front Range and possibly the Wasatch Range in Utah, then the Great Basin desert of Nevada, crossing the Sierra Nevada into California, and descending over the Mojave Desert and San Bernardino Mountains before dropping into the LA Basin

Great circle distance and headings ›

Phase by phase

Takeoff from BUF

LEFT

Buffalo Niagara typically departs runway 23 heading southwest, which puts the left side facing southeast toward Lake Erie and Niagara Falls. You'll get a clear view of the Niagara River corridor and the falls themselves as the aircraft banks westward onto its course.

Niagara Falls and Niagara River gorgeLake Erie stretching southwestdowntown Buffalo waterfrontGrand Island in the Niagara River
BUF Buffalo Niagara InternationalBuffalo, United States
Aerial window seat view during landing at Los Angeles (right side) — Santa Monica Mountains and Hollywood Hills, San Fernando Valley urban grid, Griffith Observatory area on the south face of the Santa Monica range, Pacific Ocean coastline at Santa Monica

Landing at LAX

RIGHT

LAX primarily lands on runways 24L/24R heading west-southwest, with aircraft approaching from the east over the LA Basin. The right side faces north, giving you a panoramic view of the Santa Monica Mountains, the San Fernando Valley, and the Hollywood Hills as you descend over the basin.

Santa Monica Mountains and Hollywood HillsSan Fernando Valley urban gridGriffith Observatory area on the south face of the Santa Monica rangePacific Ocean coastline at Santa Monica
LAX Los Angeles InternationalHub for American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines

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About This Route

Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Buffalo Niagara International (BUF) to Los Angeles International (LAX)?

Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Buffalo to Los Angeles. While the left side wins at takeoff for Niagara Falls, the right side delivers more consistently across the full flight — the Rocky Mountains in Colorado and Utah are on the right side heading westbound, and the Los Angeles Basin arrival view is superior on the right. The Rockies alone make it worth it.

What can I see during takeoff from Buffalo Niagara International in Buffalo?

During takeoff from Buffalo Niagara International (BUF), sit on the Left side for the best views. Buffalo Niagara typically departs runway 23 heading southwest, which puts the left side facing southeast toward Lake Erie and Niagara Falls. You'll get a clear view of the Niagara River corridor and the falls themselves as the aircraft banks westward onto its course. Notable sights include: Niagara Falls and Niagara River gorge, Lake Erie stretching southwest, downtown Buffalo waterfront, Grand Island in the Niagara River.

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 primarily lands on runways 24L/24R heading west-southwest, with aircraft approaching from the east over the LA Basin. The right side faces north, giving you a panoramic view of the Santa Monica Mountains, the San Fernando Valley, and the Hollywood Hills as you descend over the basin. Notable sights include: Santa Monica Mountains and Hollywood Hills, San Fernando Valley urban grid, Griffith Observatory area on the south face of the Santa Monica range, Pacific Ocean coastline at Santa Monica.

How long is the flight from Buffalo to Los Angeles?

The flight from Buffalo Niagara International (BUF) to Los Angeles International (LAX) takes about 5 hours 30 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 2,213 miles (3,561 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.

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

The flight tracks roughly along 40-42N latitude westbound, crossing the Allegheny Plateau in Pennsylvania, then the flat Ohio and Indiana farmland, Chicago metro area or just south of it, across Iowa and Nebraska plains, the Colorado Rockies including the Front Range and possibly the Wasatch Range in Utah, then the Great Basin desert of Nevada, crossing the Sierra Nevada into California, and descending over the Mojave Desert and San Bernardino Mountains before dropping into the LA Basin