The right side wins on both ends of the flight — a scenic Fort Lauderdale coastline departure and a San Gabriel Mountains approach into LAX — while also tracking closer to the Gulf Coast cities, Texas Hill Country, and Sonoran Desert landmarks during cruise, giving it more consistent terrain variety than the largely open-water and flat-plains views on the left.
Flight Path
Gulf of Mexico coastline near the Florida Panhandle and Louisiana, Mississippi River delta, Texas Hill Country and the Rio Grande valley, the Sonoran Desert of southern Arizona, and the Colorado River/Salton Sea basin before the San Bernardino Mountains near Los Angeles
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from FLL
RIGHTFLL departs east on runway 10, and the initial climb and turn put the ocean and beach on the right side, giving a sweeping view of Fort Lauderdale's shoreline, the Intracoastal Waterway, and Port Everglades before the plane banks west. The left side only shows flat inland suburbs and the edge of the Everglades.
Landing at LAX
RIGHTArriving from the east in LAX's standard west-flow pattern, the descent path keeps the San Gabriel Mountains and San Fernando Valley on the right side the whole way in, giving strong terrain contrast against the flat basin below. The left side mainly shows downtown LA's skyline, which is nice but less dramatic than the mountain backdrop.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International (FLL) to Los Angeles International (LAX)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Fort Lauderdale to Los Angeles. The right side wins on both ends of the flight — a scenic Fort Lauderdale coastline departure and a San Gabriel Mountains approach into LAX — while also tracking closer to the Gulf Coast cities, Texas Hill Country, and Sonoran Desert landmarks during cruise, giving it more consistent terrain variety than the largely open-water and flat-plains views on the left.
What can I see during takeoff from Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International in Fort Lauderdale?
During takeoff from Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International (FLL), sit on the Right side for the best views. FLL departs east on runway 10, and the initial climb and turn put the ocean and beach on the right side, giving a sweeping view of Fort Lauderdale's shoreline, the Intracoastal Waterway, and Port Everglades before the plane banks west. The left side only shows flat inland suburbs and the edge of the Everglades. Notable sights include: Fort Lauderdale Beach, Port Everglades cruise terminal, Intracoastal Waterway, Miami skyline in the distance.
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. Arriving from the east in LAX's standard west-flow pattern, the descent path keeps the San Gabriel Mountains and San Fernando Valley on the right side the whole way in, giving strong terrain contrast against the flat basin below. The left side mainly shows downtown LA's skyline, which is nice but less dramatic than the mountain backdrop. Notable sights include: San Gabriel Mountains, San Fernando Valley, Hollywood Hills, downtown Los Angeles skyline (ahead-left).
How long is the flight from Fort Lauderdale to Los Angeles?
The flight from Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International (FLL) to Los Angeles International (LAX) takes 5h15m.
What does the Fort Lauderdale to Los Angeles flight path pass over?
Gulf of Mexico coastline near the Florida Panhandle and Louisiana, Mississippi River delta, Texas Hill Country and the Rio Grande valley, the Sonoran Desert of southern Arizona, and the Colorado River/Salton Sea basin before the San Bernardino Mountains near Los Angeles