The left side captures the two most visually distinctive moments of the flight: the San Gabriel Mountains and LA skyline during the LAX departure turn, and the Atlanta skyline with Stone Mountain during the descent into ATL. The right side mostly shows open desert, plains, and forest with little variation.
Flight Path
Sonoran Desert and Colorado River near the Arizona-California border, the Rio Grande valley near El Paso, and the flat farmland of the Texas Panhandle and Arkansas River basin before descending toward the Georgia Piedmont
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from LAX
LEFTLAX departures heading east typically take off westbound over Santa Monica Bay then loop back south and east across the LA basin, putting the San Gabriel Mountains and downtown LA skyline on the north (left) side of the aircraft during the climb. The right side mostly shows the receding Pacific coastline and South Bay, which fades quickly as the plane turns inland.
Landing at ATL
LEFTArrivals into ATL from the west typically land to the east, descending over the Georgia countryside before turning onto final approach south of the city. This puts the downtown Atlanta skyline and Stone Mountain's distinctive granite dome on the north (left) side of the aircraft during descent, while the right side faces mostly forested suburban terrain south of the airport.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Los Angeles International (LAX) to The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International (ATL)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Los Angeles to Atlanta. The left side captures the two most visually distinctive moments of the flight: the San Gabriel Mountains and LA skyline during the LAX departure turn, and the Atlanta skyline with Stone Mountain during the descent into ATL. The right side mostly shows open desert, plains, and forest with little variation.
What can I see during takeoff from Los Angeles International in Los Angeles?
During takeoff from Los Angeles International (LAX), sit on the Left side for the best views. LAX departures heading east typically take off westbound over Santa Monica Bay then loop back south and east across the LA basin, putting the San Gabriel Mountains and downtown LA skyline on the north (left) side of the aircraft during the climb. The right side mostly shows the receding Pacific coastline and South Bay, which fades quickly as the plane turns inland. Notable sights include: San Gabriel Mountains, Downtown Los Angeles skyline, San Fernando Valley, Mojave Desert edge.
What can I see when landing at The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International in Atlanta?
When landing at The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International (ATL), sit on the Left side for the best views. Arrivals into ATL from the west typically land to the east, descending over the Georgia countryside before turning onto final approach south of the city. This puts the downtown Atlanta skyline and Stone Mountain's distinctive granite dome on the north (left) side of the aircraft during descent, while the right side faces mostly forested suburban terrain south of the airport. Notable sights include: Downtown Atlanta skyline, Stone Mountain, Chattahoochee River, Hartsfield-Jackson terminal complex.
How long is the flight from Los Angeles to Atlanta?
The flight from Los Angeles International (LAX) to The William B Hartsfield Atlanta International (ATL) takes 4h 20m.
What does the Los Angeles to Atlanta flight path pass over?
Sonoran Desert and Colorado River near the Arizona-California border, the Rio Grande valley near El Paso, and the flat farmland of the Texas Panhandle and Arkansas River basin before descending toward the Georgia Piedmont