The right side wins overall because the LAX departure view of the Los Angeles Basin, Santa Monica Mountains, and San Gabriel Mountains is genuinely spectacular and hard to beat. During the cruise over the Southwest and mid-continent the views are relatively similar on both sides, and the BWI arrival advantage on the left is real but shorter in duration than the extended LA departure show on the right.
Flown LAX to BWI? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Los Angeles to Baltimore is 2,324 miles (3,740 km), a flight of about 5 hours.
The flight path typically crosses the Mojave Desert east of the San Gabriel Mountains, then over Arizona including the Colorado River and the edge of the Grand Canyon region visible to the north, across New Mexico and the Rio Grande valley, over the Texas Panhandle and Oklahoma, then across the Ozark Plateau in Missouri and Arkansas, over the Ohio River valley, crossing the Appalachian Mountains in West Virginia and western Maryland before descending into BWI.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from LAX
RIGHTLAX departures heading east typically use runways 24L/24R westward over the ocean before turning, or runways 06L/06R heading east. On eastbound departures, the right side gives you the Santa Monica Mountains, the Hollywood Hills, and downtown LA's skyline as you climb out over the basin. The left side faces south toward the flat suburban sprawl of Inglewood and Hawthorne.
Landing at BWI
LEFTBWI sits just south of Baltimore, and most arrivals come in from the west or southwest on runway 28. The left side of the aircraft on approach gives you the Chesapeake Bay, the Baltimore Inner Harbor, and the Patapsco River estuary clearly visible. The right side faces south toward flat suburban Maryland with less visual interest.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Los Angeles International (LAX) to Baltimore Washington International (BWI)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Los Angeles to Baltimore. The right side wins overall because the LAX departure view of the Los Angeles Basin, Santa Monica Mountains, and San Gabriel Mountains is genuinely spectacular and hard to beat. During the cruise over the Southwest and mid-continent the views are relatively similar on both sides, and the BWI arrival advantage on the left is real but shorter in duration than the extended LA departure show on the right.
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 departures heading east typically use runways 24L/24R westward over the ocean before turning, or runways 06L/06R heading east. On eastbound departures, the right side gives you the Santa Monica Mountains, the Hollywood Hills, and downtown LA's skyline as you climb out over the basin. The left side faces south toward the flat suburban sprawl of Inglewood and Hawthorne. Notable sights include: Santa Monica Mountains, Downtown LA skyline, Griffith Observatory area, San Gabriel Mountains on the horizon.
What can I see when landing at Baltimore Washington International in Baltimore?
When landing at Baltimore Washington International (BWI), sit on the Left side for the best views. BWI sits just south of Baltimore, and most arrivals come in from the west or southwest on runway 28. The left side of the aircraft on approach gives you the Chesapeake Bay, the Baltimore Inner Harbor, and the Patapsco River estuary clearly visible. The right side faces south toward flat suburban Maryland with less visual interest. Notable sights include: Chesapeake Bay, Baltimore Inner Harbor, Patapsco River, Annapolis and the Bay Bridge in the distance.
How long is the flight from Los Angeles to Baltimore?
The flight from Los Angeles International (LAX) to Baltimore Washington International (BWI) takes about 5 hours. The shortest flight path between them is 2,324 miles (3,740 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Los Angeles to Baltimore flight path pass over?
The flight path typically crosses the Mojave Desert east of the San Gabriel Mountains, then over Arizona including the Colorado River and the edge of the Grand Canyon region visible to the north, across New Mexico and the Rio Grande valley, over the Texas Panhandle and Oklahoma, then across the Ozark Plateau in Missouri and Arkansas, over the Ohio River valley, crossing the Appalachian Mountains in West Virginia and western Maryland before descending into BWI.