About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Los Angeles International (LAX) to Schiphol (AMS)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Los Angeles to Amsterdam. The right side takeoff view over the LA basin and Santa Monica Mountains is the most dramatic single moment of the flight. The landing left-side view is good but the Dutch landscape is subtle. Right side also catches Greenland's ice sheet on the left-leaning polar route from a slight angle. On balance, right side delivers the more memorable departure experience which is typically the highlight of this route.
What can I see during takeoff from Los Angeles International in Los Angeles?
During takeoff from Los Angeles International (LAX), sit on the Right side for the best views. LAX typically departs westward over the Pacific on runways 24L/24R, then turns north. Right side passengers get the sweep back over the LA basin, Santa Monica Bay, and the Santa Monica Mountains as the aircraft banks. Left side faces open ocean during the initial climb. Notable sights include: Santa Monica Bay coastline, Downtown LA skyline to the northeast, Santa Monica Mountains ridge, Palos Verdes Peninsula.
What can I see when landing at Schiphol in Amsterdam?
When landing at Schiphol (AMS), sit on the Left side for the best views. Schiphol typically lands from the east or northeast on runways such as 18R/18C or 06. On approach from the North Sea, left side passengers see the Dutch coastline, the tulip field patchwork of the Bollenstreek, and the Haarlem area. Right side faces inland flat polder farmland with less visual interest. Notable sights include: North Sea coastline and beach barrier, Bollenstreek flower field strips near Lisse, Haarlem city center, Amsterdam canal ring visible to the northeast.
How long is the flight from Los Angeles to Amsterdam?
The flight from Los Angeles International (LAX) to Schiphol (AMS) takes Approximately 10 to 11 hours.
What does the Los Angeles to Amsterdam flight path pass over?
The great circle route tracks northwest over Northern California and Oregon, crosses the Canadian Rockies in British Columbia, then arcs over the Hudson Bay region, southern Greenland's ice cap and fjord coastline, Iceland's volcanic interior (often visible on clear days), the Norwegian Sea, and descends over the North Sea toward the Dutch coast. Greenland's glaciated terrain and Iceland's dark lava fields are the most visually striking midpoint features on clear days.