Cleveland to Los Angeles is 2,048 miles (3,296 km), a flight of about 4 hours 50 minutes.
The right side delivers the flight's most memorable moments bookending an otherwise flat Midwest cruise: Lake Erie and Cleveland at takeoff, then the Rockies, Great Salt Lake basin, and the San Gabriel Mountains as the descent into LAX begins. The left side offers little beyond farmland and plains until the very end.
Flight Path
Front Range of the Rocky Mountains near Colorado, the high plains of eastern Colorado and Kansas, and the Great Salt Lake basin in Utah before the descent toward the Mojave Desert and Los Angeles basin
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from CLE
RIGHTDeparting CLE on the southwest-facing runways, the aircraft banks away from Lake Erie, putting the lake shoreline and downtown Cleveland's skyline squarely in view on the right side during the initial climb. The left side only shows the flat Ohio countryside receding to the south.
Landing at LAX
RIGHTOn the standard west-flow approach into LAX, the descent path crosses the San Gabriel Valley with the San Gabriel and Santa Monica Mountains rising along the north side, giving right-side passengers a dramatic mountain backdrop as the LA basin unfolds. The left side mostly shows flatter basin sprawl toward the South Bay.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Cleveland Hopkins International (CLE) to Los Angeles International (LAX)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Cleveland to Los Angeles. The right side delivers the flight's most memorable moments bookending an otherwise flat Midwest cruise: Lake Erie and Cleveland at takeoff, then the Rockies, Great Salt Lake basin, and the San Gabriel Mountains as the descent into LAX begins. The left side offers little beyond farmland and plains until the very end.
What can I see during takeoff from Cleveland Hopkins International in Cleveland?
During takeoff from Cleveland Hopkins International (CLE), sit on the Right side for the best views. Departing CLE on the southwest-facing runways, the aircraft banks away from Lake Erie, putting the lake shoreline and downtown Cleveland's skyline squarely in view on the right side during the initial climb. The left side only shows the flat Ohio countryside receding to the south. Notable sights include: Lake Erie shoreline, downtown Cleveland skyline, Cleveland Browns Stadium area, Cuyahoga River mouth.
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 standard west-flow approach into LAX, the descent path crosses the San Gabriel Valley with the San Gabriel and Santa Monica Mountains rising along the north side, giving right-side passengers a dramatic mountain backdrop as the LA basin unfolds. The left side mostly shows flatter basin sprawl toward the South Bay. Notable sights include: San Gabriel Mountains, Santa Monica Mountains/Hollywood Hills, San Fernando Valley, Griffith Park ridge.
How long is the flight from Cleveland to Los Angeles?
The flight from Cleveland Hopkins International (CLE) to Los Angeles International (LAX) takes about 4 hours 50 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 2,048 miles (3,296 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Cleveland to Los Angeles flight path pass over?
Front Range of the Rocky Mountains near Colorado, the high plains of eastern Colorado and Kansas, and the Great Salt Lake basin in Utah before the descent toward the Mojave Desert and Los Angeles basin