The right side tracks the more scenic half of the journey: the southern Rocky Mountain front range and high plains during cruise, followed by the dramatic Lake Mead and Las Vegas Strip sequence on final approach. The left side stays over flat Midwestern and Great Plains terrain for most of the flight with only distant, less distinct southern Colorado peaks.
Flown CMH to LAS? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Columbus to Las Vegas is 1,766 miles (2,843 km), a flight of about 4 hours 10 minutes.
The flight path crosses the Mississippi River near St. Louis, then the Great Plains of Kansas, before climbing over the southern Rocky Mountains near the Colorado-Kansas border and continuing across the high plateau country of eastern Utah toward Nevada.
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from CMH
LEFTAs the aircraft lifts off from CMH's east-west runway and banks south to pick up the westbound routing toward Nevada, the left side briefly reveals downtown Columbus and the Scioto River confluence below. It's a modest view, but it's the only real landmark either side offers before miles of flat Ohio farmland begin.
Landing at LAS
RIGHTArriving from the east on Las Vegas's runway 26, the aircraft crosses Lake Mead and the desert basin before turning onto final approach, putting the Las Vegas Strip's towers squarely on the right side of the cabin. It's one of the most recognizable urban approach views in American commercial aviation.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Port Columbus International (CMH) to Mc Carran International (LAS)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Columbus to Las Vegas. The right side tracks the more scenic half of the journey: the southern Rocky Mountain front range and high plains during cruise, followed by the dramatic Lake Mead and Las Vegas Strip sequence on final approach. The left side stays over flat Midwestern and Great Plains terrain for most of the flight with only distant, less distinct southern Colorado peaks.
What can I see during takeoff from Port Columbus International in Columbus?
During takeoff from Port Columbus International (CMH), sit on the Left side for the best views. As the aircraft lifts off from CMH's east-west runway and banks south to pick up the westbound routing toward Nevada, the left side briefly reveals downtown Columbus and the Scioto River confluence below. It's a modest view, but it's the only real landmark either side offers before miles of flat Ohio farmland begin. Notable sights include: Downtown Columbus skyline, Scioto River, Ohio State University area, surrounding farmland grid.
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. Arriving from the east on Las Vegas's runway 26, the aircraft crosses Lake Mead and the desert basin before turning onto final approach, putting the Las Vegas Strip's towers squarely on the right side of the cabin. It's one of the most recognizable urban approach views in American commercial aviation. Notable sights include: Lake Mead, Hoover Dam area, Las Vegas Strip skyline, Sunrise Mountain.
How long is the flight from Columbus to Las Vegas?
The flight from Port Columbus International (CMH) to Mc Carran International (LAS) takes about 4 hours 10 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 1,766 miles (2,843 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Columbus to Las Vegas flight path pass over?
The flight path crosses the Mississippi River near St. Louis, then the Great Plains of Kansas, before climbing over the southern Rocky Mountains near the Colorado-Kansas border and continuing across the high plateau country of eastern Utah toward Nevada.