Helsinki to Los Angeles flight pathHELLAX

Sit on the left side of the plane

Reverse

Which side of the plane?

Pick the window seat with the view. 13,500 routes answered — landmarks, coastlines and cities, wing by wing.

Flight time10h 45m
Distance5,601
Heading330° → 197°
Best side
LeftMostly left
★ 4.0 left·★ 2.5 right

The left side wins overall thanks to the cruise-phase views of Greenland's ice sheet and the Canadian Arctic and Rocky Mountain ranges glimpsed along the great-circle route, combined with the scenic Pacific coastline reveal on landing into LAX, outweighing the shorter city view on takeoff from Helsinki.

Takeoff · HELRIGHTHelsinki city center, Gulf of Finland islands, Suomenlinna fortress islands
Landing · LAXLEFTSanta Monica Bay, Palos Verdes Peninsula, downtown Los Angeles skyline

Flight Path

Flight path overview

Southern Greenland ice sheet and coastal fjords, Baffin Island and Canadian Arctic archipelago, Hudson Bay, and the northern Rocky Mountains before descending into the Los Angeles basin

Great circle distance and headings ›

Phase by phase

Aerial window seat view during takeoff from Helsinki (right side) — Helsinki city center, Gulf of Finland islands, Suomenlinna fortress islands, Vantaa river delta

Takeoff from HEL

RIGHT

Departing HEL toward the southwest before curving onto the polar routing, the right side offers a good look back at Helsinki's harbor, the Gulf of Finland archipelago, and the city skyline as the aircraft banks northward to begin its great-circle track toward the Arctic.

Helsinki city centerGulf of Finland islandsSuomenlinna fortress islandsVantaa river delta
Aerial window seat view during landing at Los Angeles (left side) — Santa Monica Bay, Palos Verdes Peninsula, downtown Los Angeles skyline, Pacific coastline

Landing at LAX

LEFT

On the typical east-to-west descent into LAX, the left side gets the dramatic reveal of the Pacific coastline, Santa Monica Bay, and the Palos Verdes Peninsula as the aircraft turns to align with the westward-facing runways.

Santa Monica BayPalos Verdes Peninsuladowntown Los Angeles skylinePacific coastline

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 Helsinki Vantaa (HEL) to Los Angeles International (LAX)?

Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Helsinki to Los Angeles. The left side wins overall thanks to the cruise-phase views of Greenland's ice sheet and the Canadian Arctic and Rocky Mountain ranges glimpsed along the great-circle route, combined with the scenic Pacific coastline reveal on landing into LAX, outweighing the shorter city view on takeoff from Helsinki.

What can I see during takeoff from Helsinki Vantaa in Helsinki?

During takeoff from Helsinki Vantaa (HEL), sit on the Right side for the best views. Departing HEL toward the southwest before curving onto the polar routing, the right side offers a good look back at Helsinki's harbor, the Gulf of Finland archipelago, and the city skyline as the aircraft banks northward to begin its great-circle track toward the Arctic. Notable sights include: Helsinki city center, Gulf of Finland islands, Suomenlinna fortress islands, Vantaa river delta.

What can I see when landing at Los Angeles International in Los Angeles?

When landing at Los Angeles International (LAX), sit on the Left side for the best views. On the typical east-to-west descent into LAX, the left side gets the dramatic reveal of the Pacific coastline, Santa Monica Bay, and the Palos Verdes Peninsula as the aircraft turns to align with the westward-facing runways. Notable sights include: Santa Monica Bay, Palos Verdes Peninsula, downtown Los Angeles skyline, Pacific coastline.

How long is the flight from Helsinki to Los Angeles?

The flight from Helsinki Vantaa (HEL) to Los Angeles International (LAX) takes 10h 45m.

What does the Helsinki to Los Angeles flight path pass over?

Southern Greenland ice sheet and coastal fjords, Baffin Island and Canadian Arctic archipelago, Hudson Bay, and the northern Rocky Mountains before descending into the Los Angeles basin