Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Tucson to Los Angeles. The right side wins overall because the LAX arrival view of the Los Angeles Basin with the downtown skyline and San Gabriel Mountains is more visually rewarding than the takeoff view. During the cruise portion heading west-northwest, the right side also picks up views of the Colorado River corridor, the Mojave Desert terrain, and the Salton Sea visible to the south-right in the early portion of the flight.

During takeoff from Davis Monthan Afb (DMA), sit on the Left side for the best views. Davis-Monthan's primary departure runway is 12/30. Departing on Runway 12 (heading southeast then turning northwest toward LAX), the left side faces north toward the Santa Catalina Mountains, which rise dramatically to over 9,100 feet above the Tucson basin. A left turn out puts the Rincon Mountains and Saguaro National Park in view on the left as the aircraft climbs. Notable sights include: Santa Catalina Mountains (Mount Lemmon 9,157 ft), Rincon Mountains to the east, Tucson city grid below, Davis-Monthan aircraft boneyard (AMARG) visible immediately after liftoff.

When landing at Los Angeles International (LAX), sit on the Right side for the best views. LAX's primary arrival runways are 24L and 24R (heading west-southwest). On approach from the east over the Los Angeles Basin, the right side faces north and gives a clear view of downtown Los Angeles, the Hollywood Hills, and the San Gabriel Mountains as a dramatic backdrop. The left side faces south toward the South Bay and ocean, which is less visually varied. Notable sights include: Downtown Los Angeles skyline, Hollywood Hills and Griffith Observatory, San Gabriel Mountains (Mount San Antonio/Baldy at 10,064 ft) on the horizon, Santa Monica Bay coastline.

The flight from Davis Monthan Afb (DMA) to Los Angeles International (LAX) takes Approximately 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes.

The flight tracks west-northwest from Tucson across the Sonoran Desert, crossing the Gila River valley and the Estrella Mountains near Phoenix (visible to the north). The route then crosses the lower Colorado Desert and the Salton Sea basin (visible to the south on the right side), before crossing the San Jacinto Mountains and descending into the LA Basin over the Inland Empire. The Salton Sea, roughly 35 miles long and sitting below sea level, is one of the most distinctive features visible from the right side mid-flight.