The left side wins because it captures the San Gabriel Mountains during departure, a plausible glimpse of high desert terrain including the Sandia Mountains near Albuquerque during cruise, and the Nashville skyline on arrival, while the right side offers mostly flat, featureless plains for the bulk of the flight.
Flight Path
Colorado River crossing near the Arizona-California border, Sonoran desert terrain, Sandia Mountains near Albuquerque, Texas Panhandle high plains, Ozark Plateau foothills approaching Tennessee
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from LAX
LEFTDeparting LAX in the normal west-flow pattern, the aircraft climbs out over the Pacific then banks back east across the LA basin, putting the San Gabriel and San Bernardino Mountains on the left side of the plane as it climbs. The right side mostly shows flat basin sprawl and haze toward Orange County.
Landing at BNA
LEFTOn approach into BNA from the west, the Cumberland River and downtown Nashville skyline typically appear off the left side as the aircraft lines up for the south-facing runways, giving a brief but distinct urban landmark view. The right side shows only rural Tennessee farmland with no distinguishing features.
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 Los Angeles International (LAX) to Nashville International (BNA)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Los Angeles to Nashville. The left side wins because it captures the San Gabriel Mountains during departure, a plausible glimpse of high desert terrain including the Sandia Mountains near Albuquerque during cruise, and the Nashville skyline on arrival, while the right side offers mostly flat, featureless plains for the bulk of the flight.
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. Departing LAX in the normal west-flow pattern, the aircraft climbs out over the Pacific then banks back east across the LA basin, putting the San Gabriel and San Bernardino Mountains on the left side of the plane as it climbs. The right side mostly shows flat basin sprawl and haze toward Orange County. Notable sights include: San Gabriel Mountains, Santa Monica Bay coastline glimpse, San Bernardino foothills, Los Angeles basin sprawl.
What can I see when landing at Nashville International in Nashville?
When landing at Nashville International (BNA), sit on the Left side for the best views. On approach into BNA from the west, the Cumberland River and downtown Nashville skyline typically appear off the left side as the aircraft lines up for the south-facing runways, giving a brief but distinct urban landmark view. The right side shows only rural Tennessee farmland with no distinguishing features. Notable sights include: Downtown Nashville skyline, Cumberland River bends, Percy Priest Lake shoreline.
How long is the flight from Los Angeles to Nashville?
The flight from Los Angeles International (LAX) to Nashville International (BNA) takes 3h 40m.
What does the Los Angeles to Nashville flight path pass over?
Colorado River crossing near the Arizona-California border, Sonoran desert terrain, Sandia Mountains near Albuquerque, Texas Panhandle high plains, Ozark Plateau foothills approaching Tennessee