The right side offers a stronger visual arc across the full flight: Great Lakes shoreline at takeoff, the Rocky Mountain front range and Great Salt Lake basin during cruise, and the San Gabriel Mountains framing the descent into LAX. The left side is dominated by featureless plains for most of the route.
Flight Path
The route crosses the Great Plains of Nebraska, the Rocky Mountain front range near the Wyoming-Colorado border, the Wasatch Range and Great Salt Lake basin in Utah, and the Nevada desert basins before descending toward the Mojave and Los Angeles basin.
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from DTW
RIGHTDeparting DTW to the southwest, passengers on the right side get a last look at the Detroit River, Lake St. Clair, and the Detroit skyline before the aircraft turns onto its westbound track. The left side shows only flat farmland stretching toward Ohio.
Landing at LAX
RIGHTOn the westbound descent into LAX, the flight path crosses the Mojave Desert and skirts the San Gabriel Mountains before dropping into the LA basin, and these ranges are visible on the right side as the aircraft continues its westward approach toward the Pacific. The left side mostly shows the flatter Inland Empire sprawl.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
Will your flight be in sunlight?
See exactly which side of the plane gets sun and shade at your departure time.
About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Detroit Metro Wayne Co (DTW) to Los Angeles International (LAX)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Detroit to Los Angeles. The right side offers a stronger visual arc across the full flight: Great Lakes shoreline at takeoff, the Rocky Mountain front range and Great Salt Lake basin during cruise, and the San Gabriel Mountains framing the descent into LAX. The left side is dominated by featureless plains for most of the route.
What can I see during takeoff from Detroit Metro Wayne Co in Detroit?
During takeoff from Detroit Metro Wayne Co (DTW), sit on the Right side for the best views. Departing DTW to the southwest, passengers on the right side get a last look at the Detroit River, Lake St. Clair, and the Detroit skyline before the aircraft turns onto its westbound track. The left side shows only flat farmland stretching toward Ohio. Notable sights include: Detroit skyline, Detroit River, Lake St. Clair shoreline.
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 westbound descent into LAX, the flight path crosses the Mojave Desert and skirts the San Gabriel Mountains before dropping into the LA basin, and these ranges are visible on the right side as the aircraft continues its westward approach toward the Pacific. The left side mostly shows the flatter Inland Empire sprawl. Notable sights include: San Gabriel Mountains, Mojave Desert edge, downtown Los Angeles skyline, Santa Monica Bay.
How long is the flight from Detroit to Los Angeles?
The flight from Detroit Metro Wayne Co (DTW) to Los Angeles International (LAX) takes 4h 45m.
What does the Detroit to Los Angeles flight path pass over?
The route crosses the Great Plains of Nebraska, the Rocky Mountain front range near the Wyoming-Colorado border, the Wasatch Range and Great Salt Lake basin in Utah, and the Nevada desert basins before descending toward the Mojave and Los Angeles basin.