About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Los Angeles International (LAX) to Frankfurt Main (FRA)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Los Angeles to Frankfurt. The right side delivers the spectacular LA Basin panorama on departure, and while the left side wins at Frankfurt, the takeoff view over one of the world's most recognizable urban landscapes is the highlight of the journey. The transatlantic cruise at night or high altitude offers little differentiation between sides over the open ocean and Canadian Arctic.
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 typically departs westward over the Pacific on runways 24L/24R, then turns north. Right side passengers get the sweep back over the LA Basin, Santa Monica Bay, and the Santa Monica Mountains as the aircraft banks. Left side faces open ocean during the initial climb. Notable sights include: Santa Monica Bay coastline, Downtown LA skyline to the northeast, Santa Monica Mountains ridge, Palos Verdes Peninsula.
What can I see when landing at Frankfurt Main in Frankfurt?
When landing at Frankfurt Main (FRA), sit on the Left side for the best views. Frankfurt typically lands on runways 25L/25R or 07L/07R. On the common westward approach (runway 25), the aircraft tracks in from the east, putting the left side over the Frankfurt city center, the Main River bend, and the Taunus hills to the north. Right side faces flat agricultural land to the south. Notable sights include: Frankfurt city center and Bankenviertel skyline, Main River bends, Taunus hills to the north, Rhine-Main plain patchwork farmland.
How long is the flight from Los Angeles to Frankfurt?
The flight from Los Angeles International (LAX) to Frankfurt Main (FRA) takes Approximately 11 to 12 hours.
What does the Los Angeles to Frankfurt flight path pass over?
The great circle route tracks north from LA over the Sierra Nevada and Cascade Range, then across southern Canada and Hudson Bay, over Greenland's ice sheet and southern tip, across Iceland, the Norwegian Sea, Denmark or northern Germany into Frankfurt. Key features include the Canadian Rockies early in the flight, the Greenland ice cap at roughly the midpoint, and the British Isles or Scandinavian coastline on descent into Europe.