Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Los Angeles to Detroit. The right side wins overall because the takeoff views over the LA Basin, Santa Monica Mountains, and harbor are more dramatic and sustained than the landing views. Mid-flight over the Midwest the right side also faces south, keeping the sun out of your eyes on this generally eastbound routing.

During takeoff from Los Angeles International (LAX), sit on the Right side for the best views. LAX departures heading east use runways 24L/24R departing westward then turning east, or runways 06L/06R heading east. On an eastbound departure, the right side gives you the Santa Monica Mountains and the Hollywood Hills as the plane climbs and banks. You also get a clear look south over the LA basin toward Long Beach and the harbor. Notable sights include: Santa Monica Mountains, LA Basin sprawl, Port of Los Angeles/Long Beach Harbor, Palos Verdes Peninsula.

When landing at Detroit Metro Wayne Co (DTW), sit on the Left side for the best views. DTW arrivals from the west typically use runways 21L/21R or 22L/22R, approaching from the northwest over the Detroit metro area. The left side gives you a direct view of downtown Detroit's skyline and the Detroit River with Windsor, Ontario on the opposite bank. Lake St. Clair is also visible to the northeast on descent. Notable sights include: Downtown Detroit skyline, Detroit River, Windsor Ontario across the river, Lake St. Clair.

The flight from Los Angeles International (LAX) to Detroit Metro Wayne Co (DTW) takes Approximately 4 hours 15 minutes.

The flight crosses the Mojave Desert and Colorado River near Needles, then tracks over the Arizona high desert and Flagstaff plateau, crosses the Rockies or skirts their southern edge depending on routing, then passes over the flat agricultural plains of Kansas and Missouri, the Mississippi River near St. Louis, and the Indiana farmland before descending into Michigan.