Nearly the entire 17-plus hour flight is over open Pacific and South China Sea water, so neither side has much to offer during cruise, but the right side captures both the scenic Malibu coastal turn on departure and the Bangkok skyline on arrival, giving it a clear edge over the largely featureless left side.
Flight Path
The great-circle route runs northwest from Los Angeles across the open North Pacific, passing well south of the Aleutian Islands before curving southwest past Japan and the Philippines and crossing the South China Sea into the Gulf of Thailand; for the vast majority of this stretch there is no land in view, just open ocean.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from LAX
RIGHTDeparting LAX in the normal west flow, the jet climbs out over Santa Monica Bay and then banks north to pick up the oceanic routing toward Asia. That turn puts the Malibu coastline, Santa Monica Mountains, and the Channel Islands directly under the right-side windows before the plane heads out over open water.
Landing at BKK
RIGHTOn the more common dry-season approach into Suvarnabhumi, arrivals land to the south on runway 19, which puts Bangkok's sprawling skyline and the Chao Phraya River on the right side as the aircraft descends over the flat delta. The left side mostly shows featureless rice paddies and canals with no skyline view.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Los Angeles International (LAX) to Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Los Angeles to Bangkok. Nearly the entire 17-plus hour flight is over open Pacific and South China Sea water, so neither side has much to offer during cruise, but the right side captures both the scenic Malibu coastal turn on departure and the Bangkok skyline on arrival, giving it a clear edge over the largely featureless left side.
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. Departing LAX in the normal west flow, the jet climbs out over Santa Monica Bay and then banks north to pick up the oceanic routing toward Asia. That turn puts the Malibu coastline, Santa Monica Mountains, and the Channel Islands directly under the right-side windows before the plane heads out over open water. Notable sights include: Santa Monica Bay, Malibu coastline, Santa Monica Mountains, Channel Islands (Catalina/Anacapa in the distance).
What can I see when landing at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok?
When landing at Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), sit on the Right side for the best views. On the more common dry-season approach into Suvarnabhumi, arrivals land to the south on runway 19, which puts Bangkok's sprawling skyline and the Chao Phraya River on the right side as the aircraft descends over the flat delta. The left side mostly shows featureless rice paddies and canals with no skyline view. Notable sights include: Bangkok skyline, Chao Phraya River, Gulf of Thailand coastline in the distance, flat delta canals and rice paddies near the airport.
How long is the flight from Los Angeles to Bangkok?
The flight from Los Angeles International (LAX) to Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) takes 17h 35m.
What does the Los Angeles to Bangkok flight path pass over?
The great-circle route runs northwest from Los Angeles across the open North Pacific, passing well south of the Aleutian Islands before curving southwest past Japan and the Philippines and crossing the South China Sea into the Gulf of Thailand; for the vast majority of this stretch there is no land in view, just open ocean.