The right side wins because it captures the most dramatic and varied terrain of the trip: the LA coastline and mountains at departure, followed by the Sierra Nevada, Rockies, and Canadian Arctic islands during the long climb toward the pole, whereas the left side is dominated by open ocean and featureless Arctic ice for most of the flight, only redeemed briefly by a possible Himalayan glimpse on final approach.
Flight Path
The great-circle path curves far north, crossing western Canada, Hudson Bay, and the edge of the Greenland ice sheet before bending south across the Arctic Ocean and Siberian tundra; the flight's rough midpoint lies over the Russian Arctic near the Kara Sea.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from LAX
RIGHTLAX departures heading toward the polar route take off west over Santa Monica Bay, then bank right (north) to pick up the great-circle track toward Canada. That turn swings the coastline, downtown LA, and the San Gabriel Mountains into view on the right side, while the left side only has open Pacific water.
Landing at DEL
LEFTArrivals into Delhi typically land toward the east on the 11-side runways after tracking in from the northwest. On that final descent, the left side faces roughly north, giving a chance to see the flat Yamuna floodplain and, on clear days, the distant snow-capped Himalayan foothills, while the right side only overlooks featureless Haryana farmland.
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 Indira Gandhi International (DEL)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Los Angeles to Delhi. The right side wins because it captures the most dramatic and varied terrain of the trip: the LA coastline and mountains at departure, followed by the Sierra Nevada, Rockies, and Canadian Arctic islands during the long climb toward the pole, whereas the left side is dominated by open ocean and featureless Arctic ice for most of the flight, only redeemed briefly by a possible Himalayan glimpse on final approach.
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 toward the polar route take off west over Santa Monica Bay, then bank right (north) to pick up the great-circle track toward Canada. That turn swings the coastline, downtown LA, and the San Gabriel Mountains into view on the right side, while the left side only has open Pacific water. Notable sights include: Santa Monica Bay and Marina del Rey, Downtown LA skyline, San Gabriel/San Fernando Valley mountains, Malibu coastline.
What can I see when landing at Indira Gandhi International in Delhi?
When landing at Indira Gandhi International (DEL), sit on the Left side for the best views. Arrivals into Delhi typically land toward the east on the 11-side runways after tracking in from the northwest. On that final descent, the left side faces roughly north, giving a chance to see the flat Yamuna floodplain and, on clear days, the distant snow-capped Himalayan foothills, while the right side only overlooks featureless Haryana farmland. Notable sights include: Yamuna River floodplain, Delhi's northern suburbs, distant Himalayan foothills on clear days, Indo-Gangetic plain farmland.
How long is the flight from Los Angeles to Delhi?
The flight from Los Angeles International (LAX) to Indira Gandhi International (DEL) takes 15h 45m.
What does the Los Angeles to Delhi flight path pass over?
The great-circle path curves far north, crossing western Canada, Hudson Bay, and the edge of the Greenland ice sheet before bending south across the Arctic Ocean and Siberian tundra; the flight's rough midpoint lies over the Russian Arctic near the Kara Sea.