LAXFAI

Which side of the plane from Los Angeles to Fairbanks

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Which side of the plane?

Pick the window seat with the view. 13,500 routes answered — landmarks, coastlines and cities, wing by wing.

About This Route

Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Los Angeles International (LAX) to Fairbanks International (FAI)?

Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Los Angeles to Fairbanks. While the right side wins at takeoff with the Pacific coast views, the left side delivers more consistently across the full flight. Once airborne and tracking north, the left side captures the Sierra Nevada, the volcanic Cascades (Mount Shasta, Mount Rainier), the Coast Mountains of British Columbia, and the Alaska Range on descent. These are among the most dramatic mountain landscapes in North America.

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 northwest on runways 24L/24R put the Santa Monica Bay and Pacific coastline on the right side, with the Santa Monica Mountains visible inland. Left side faces south toward the urban sprawl of Inglewood and Hawthorne with no distinctive natural features. Notable sights include: Santa Monica Bay, Malibu coastline, Santa Monica Mountains, Catalina Island (distant, to the south-right).

What can I see when landing at Fairbanks International in Fairbanks?

When landing at Fairbanks International (FAI), sit on the Left side for the best views. Fairbanks International typically uses runway 2L/2R for arrivals from the south, meaning the aircraft approaches from the south heading north. The left side faces west toward the Alaska Range and the prominent silhouette of Denali on clear days, while the right side looks east toward the Tanana Hills with less dramatic relief. Notable sights include: Alaska Range, Denali (on clear days, ~150 miles southwest), Tanana River flats, Fairbanks city grid.

How long is the flight from Los Angeles to Fairbanks?

The flight from Los Angeles International (LAX) to Fairbanks International (FAI) takes Approximately 5 to 6 hours.

What does the Los Angeles to Fairbanks flight path pass over?

The route tracks north-northwest over the Central Valley of California, then crosses the Cascades with Mount Shasta and Mount Rainier visible on the left. Over British Columbia the Coast Mountains and Saint Elias Range dominate. The route crosses the Gulf of Alaska coastline near Yakutat, then passes over the Wrangell-St. Elias massif before descending over the Tanana River basin into Fairbanks.