The right side wins both ends of the flight: Dubai's coastline and skyline at departure, and the San Gabriel Mountains with the LA basin skyline on arrival, while the left side offers mostly featureless desert and suburban sprawl.
Flight Path
The route crosses the Zagros Mountains of Iran, the southern Caspian Sea region, then far northern Europe, the Greenland ice sheet, and the Canadian Arctic before descending over the Rocky Mountains into the western United States.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from DXB
RIGHTDeparting DXB toward the northwest, the right side offers a sweeping view of the Gulf coastline, Dubai's skyline, and the artificial Palm Jumeirah island before the aircraft turns inland. The left side shows only the flat, featureless desert interior.
Landing at LAX
RIGHTOn the west-flow approach into LAX, arrivals descend from the east over the Los Angeles basin, giving right-side passengers views of downtown LA's skyline and the San Gabriel Mountains before the final turn to the runways. The left side mostly overlooks flatter suburban 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 Dubai International (DXB) to Los Angeles International (LAX)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Dubai to Los Angeles. The right side wins both ends of the flight: Dubai's coastline and skyline at departure, and the San Gabriel Mountains with the LA basin skyline on arrival, while the left side offers mostly featureless desert and suburban sprawl.
What can I see during takeoff from Dubai International in Dubai?
During takeoff from Dubai International (DXB), sit on the Right side for the best views. Departing DXB toward the northwest, the right side offers a sweeping view of the Gulf coastline, Dubai's skyline, and the artificial Palm Jumeirah island before the aircraft turns inland. The left side shows only the flat, featureless desert interior. Notable sights include: Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina skyline, Burj Khalifa, Arabian Gulf coastline.
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 west-flow approach into LAX, arrivals descend from the east over the Los Angeles basin, giving right-side passengers views of downtown LA's skyline and the San Gabriel Mountains before the final turn to the runways. The left side mostly overlooks flatter suburban sprawl toward the South Bay. Notable sights include: San Gabriel Mountains, Downtown Los Angeles skyline, San Fernando Valley, Griffith Observatory ridge.
How long is the flight from Dubai to Los Angeles?
The flight from Dubai International (DXB) to Los Angeles International (LAX) takes 16h 35m.
What does the Dubai to Los Angeles flight path pass over?
The route crosses the Zagros Mountains of Iran, the southern Caspian Sea region, then far northern Europe, the Greenland ice sheet, and the Canadian Arctic before descending over the Rocky Mountains into the western United States.