About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Los Angeles International (LAX) to Baiyun (CAN)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Los Angeles to Guangzhou. While the right side wins at takeoff, the left side offers the better overall experience. After the initial climb, the left side tracks the California coast briefly, then across the North Pacific picks up the Aleutian Islands chain, the Kamchatka Peninsula coastline, and the descent into the Pearl River Delta. The right side faces open ocean for the vast majority of the transpacific crossing.
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 on runways 24L/24R head west over the Pacific before turning north, so the right (north) side gets the last views of the Santa Monica Bay coastline, the Santa Monica Mountains, and the LA basin sprawl. The left side faces open ocean almost immediately. Notable sights include: Santa Monica Bay, Santa Monica Mountains, Downtown LA skyline to the northeast, Palos Verdes Peninsula.
What can I see when landing at Baiyun in Guangzhou?
When landing at Baiyun (CAN), sit on the Left side for the best views. CAN typically uses runways oriented roughly east-west, with arrivals often from the east. The left (south) side on approach gives views over the Pearl River Delta, the dense urban fabric of Guangzhou, and the Zhujiang River snaking through the city. The right side faces more suburban and agricultural land to the north. Notable sights include: Pearl River (Zhujiang) through central Guangzhou, Pearl River Delta wetlands and channels, Guangzhou CBD skyline including Canton Tower, Foshan urban area to the southwest.
How long is the flight from Los Angeles to Guangzhou?
The flight from Los Angeles International (LAX) to Baiyun (CAN) takes Approximately 13 to 15 hours depending on winds and routing.
What does the Los Angeles to Guangzhou flight path pass over?
The great circle route arcs far north over the North Pacific, passing near or over the Aleutian Islands chain (Alaska), the Kamchatka Peninsula and its volcanic peaks visible on clear days, the Sea of Okhotsk, the southern tip of Sakhalin Island, the Korean Peninsula or Yellow Sea depending on exact routing, and the South China coast before descending into the Pearl River Delta.