The right side wins on all three phases: Manhattan at departure, the Rockies, Great Salt Lake, and Sierra Nevada region during cruise, and downtown LA with the San Gabriel Mountains on arrival, giving it far more landmark density and terrain drama than the plains and ocean views typical of the left side.
Flight Path
Rocky Mountains front range near Denver, the Great Salt Lake and Wasatch Range in Utah, and the arid Basin-and-Range desert country of Nevada leading into the Mojave before descent into the Los Angeles basin
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from JFK
RIGHTDeparting JFK on a westbound routing, the aircraft's left turn after takeoff swings the nose away from Manhattan, putting the skyline and East River squarely in the right-side windows. Left-side passengers mostly see the flatter South Shore of Long Island and Jamaica Bay.
Landing at LAX
RIGHTTranscontinental arrivals into LAX cross the eastern edge of the Los Angeles basin before curving out over the ocean to land westward, keeping downtown LA and the San Gabriel Mountains on the right side of the aircraft. The left side mostly shows the flatter South Bay and open Pacific during final approach.
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 John F Kennedy International (JFK) to Los Angeles International (LAX)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from New York to Los Angeles. The right side wins on all three phases: Manhattan at departure, the Rockies, Great Salt Lake, and Sierra Nevada region during cruise, and downtown LA with the San Gabriel Mountains on arrival, giving it far more landmark density and terrain drama than the plains and ocean views typical of the left side.
What can I see during takeoff from John F Kennedy International in New York?
During takeoff from John F Kennedy International (JFK), sit on the Right side for the best views. Departing JFK on a westbound routing, the aircraft's left turn after takeoff swings the nose away from Manhattan, putting the skyline and East River squarely in the right-side windows. Left-side passengers mostly see the flatter South Shore of Long Island and Jamaica Bay. Notable sights include: Manhattan skyline, East River, Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, Jamaica Bay.
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. Transcontinental arrivals into LAX cross the eastern edge of the Los Angeles basin before curving out over the ocean to land westward, keeping downtown LA and the San Gabriel Mountains on the right side of the aircraft. The left side mostly shows the flatter South Bay and open Pacific during final approach. Notable sights include: San Gabriel Mountains, Downtown Los Angeles skyline, Hollywood Hills, Griffith Observatory ridge.
How long is the flight from New York to Los Angeles?
The flight from John F Kennedy International (JFK) to Los Angeles International (LAX) takes 6h 15m.
What does the New York to Los Angeles flight path pass over?
Rocky Mountains front range near Denver, the Great Salt Lake and Wasatch Range in Utah, and the arid Basin-and-Range desert country of Nevada leading into the Mojave before descent into the Los Angeles basin