Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Las Vegas to Kona. While the right side wins at takeoff for the Strip and Red Rock views, the left side delivers the more dramatic and sustained scenery. Over the Pacific the views are similar, but on arrival the left side gets the full volcanic panorama of Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa, and Hualalai — some of the most visually striking terrain in the Pacific. The Big Island arrival alone tips the balance to the left.

During takeoff from Mc Carran International (LAS), sit on the Right side for the best views. Departing Las Vegas, aircraft typically use runways 26L/26R heading west or 19L/19R heading south. On a westbound departure toward Hawaii, the right side gives you the Las Vegas Strip and downtown core as you climb out, plus the Spring Mountains and Red Rock Canyon escarpment to the southwest. The left side faces north toward the largely featureless desert valley. Notable sights include: Las Vegas Strip (resort corridor), Red Rock Canyon escarpment, Spring Mountains (Charleston Peak at 11,918 ft), Lake Mead to the east visible on turn-out.

When landing at Kona International At Keahole (KOA), sit on the Left side for the best views. Kona International sits on the west coast of the Big Island, and aircraft typically approach from the north or northeast, landing on runway 17 heading south. The left side of the aircraft faces east toward the massive volcanic slopes of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, which dominate the island's interior. The right side looks out over open ocean. Notable sights include: Mauna Kea (13,796 ft, often snow-capped), Mauna Loa (13,678 ft), Hualalai volcano (8,271 ft directly above Kona), black lava fields of the Kona coast.

The flight from Mc Carran International (LAS) to Kona International At Keahole (KOA) takes Approximately 5 hours 30 minutes to 6 hours.

The flight tracks southwest over the Mojave Desert, then crosses the California coast near Los Angeles or Long Beach before heading out over open Pacific Ocean. The vast majority of the route — roughly 2,000 miles — is open ocean with no land features visible. Occasionally the Channel Islands off Santa Barbara are visible shortly after departing the California coast on the left side. The Hawaiian island chain is approached from the northeast, with Maui and potentially the summit of Haleakala (10,023 ft) visible in the distance before the Big Island comes into view.