Guangzhou to Los Angeles flight path: CAN to LAX

Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Guangzhou to Los Angeles. Both ends of the flight favor the right side: Guangzhou's urban river delta at takeoff and the San Gabriel Mountains with the LA skyline at landing. The long Pacific crossing in between is ocean-dominated on both sides, so the terminal scenery decides the winner.

During takeoff from Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN), sit on the Right side for the best views. Departing CAN on a north-facing runway before turning northeast toward the Pacific routing, the right side gives a good look back at Guangzhou's dense urban core and the Pearl River as it winds through the delta. The left side mostly shows the hazier, less distinct suburban sprawl west of the airport. Notable sights include: Pearl River, Guangzhou city skyline, Baiyun Mountain, Pearl River Delta waterways.

When landing at Los Angeles International (LAX), sit on the Right side for the best views. In LAX's typical west-flow landing pattern, the aircraft descends westward over the Los Angeles basin, and the right side (facing north) has a clear view of the San Gabriel Mountains rising behind the city and the downtown LA skyline sliding past before touchdown. The left side mainly shows flatter South Bay suburbs and the ocean. Notable sights include: San Gabriel Mountains, Downtown Los Angeles skyline, Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles River basin.

The flight from Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN) to Los Angeles International (LAX) takes about 13 hours 15 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 7,219 miles (11,618 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.

The great-circle track passes near the Korean Peninsula and Japan, then crosses the North Pacific over the Aleutian Islands and Gulf of Alaska before reaching the Alaskan and Canadian coastline en route to California — several hours of open ocean with only occasional distant island or coastal glimpses.