Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Dubai to Los Angeles. The right side wins overall because the LAX arrival view over the Los Angeles Basin, Santa Monica Mountains, and Downtown skyline is a prolonged and visually rich sequence lasting 20-30 minutes of descent. The DXB departure on the left is excellent but brief. For the long overwater transoceanic portion, neither side has a meaningful advantage, so the arrival experience tips the balance.

During takeoff from Dubai International (DXB), sit on the Left side for the best views. DXB's primary departure runway is 30L/30R, heading northwest. A left-side seat gives you a clear view south over the Dubai Creek, Deira district, and the Persian Gulf coastline as you climb out. You'll also catch the Palm Jumeirah and Downtown Dubai skyline receding behind you to the south. Notable sights include: Dubai Creek and Deira waterfront, Palm Jumeirah artificial island, Downtown Dubai and Burj Khalifa cluster, Persian Gulf coastline.

When landing at Los Angeles International (LAX), sit on the Right side for the best views. LAX primarily lands on runways 24L/24R heading southwest, meaning the approach comes in from the east over the Los Angeles Basin. A right-side seat faces north, giving you a prolonged view of the Santa Monica Mountains, the San Fernando Valley, and the Hollywood Hills as you descend. Downtown LA's skyline is visible to the north-northeast during the approach. Notable sights include: Santa Monica Mountains and Hollywood Hills, Downtown Los Angeles skyline, Santa Monica Bay and Pacific coastline, San Fernando Valley floor.

The flight from Dubai International (DXB) to Los Angeles International (LAX) takes Approximately 16 to 17 hours nonstop.

The route tracks northwest from Dubai across Iran and the Caspian Sea, then over Central Asia and southern Russia before crossing the Bering Sea region or arcing over the North Pacific. The great circle path takes the aircraft over the vast emptiness of the North Pacific Ocean for roughly 6 to 8 hours, with occasional views of the Aleutian Islands chain far below if routing passes near them. Approaching North America, the coastline of Alaska or the Pacific Northwest may be visible before the long descent into Southern California.