The right side wins overall primarily for the dramatic LA departure views. The polar route over Greenland and the North Atlantic offers limited differentiated views by side — both see ice and ocean — but the right side also gets slightly better angles on Greenland's ice sheet edge during the crossing. The Gothenburg arrival is the stronger view on the left, but the LA departure spectacle tips the balance to the right.
Flown LAX to GOT? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Los Angeles to Gothenborg is 5,492 miles (8,838 km), a flight of about 11 hours 30 minutes.
The great circle route tracks northwest over Northern California and Oregon, then crosses British Columbia and the Yukon. It passes over the southern tip of Greenland and its ice sheet, then crosses Iceland or just south of it, before tracking over the Norwegian Sea and descending across southern Norway and the Skagerrak strait into Sweden. Greenland's coastal fjords and the Vatnajokull ice cap area of Iceland are the most visually dramatic midpoint features if routing permits.
Great circle distance and headings ›.jpg?width=600)
.jpg?width=600)
.jpg?width=600)
Phase by phase
Takeoff from LAX
RIGHTLAX typically departs westbound over the Pacific on runways 24L/24R, then turns north. A right-side seat gives you the sweep back over Santa Monica Bay, the Santa Monica Mountains, and the LA Basin sprawl as the aircraft banks north toward the polar route. Left side faces open ocean.
Landing at GOT
LEFTLandvetter typically uses runway 03 for arrivals from the south, meaning the approach comes in from the southwest over the Swedish archipelago and Gothenburg. A left-side seat gives views of the Gothenburg urban area, the Göta älv river estuary, and the southern Swedish coast as you descend.
Will your flight be in sunlight?
Pick a date and time in the Sun Map to watch the sun move across your whole flight.
About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Los Angeles International (LAX) to Landvetter (GOT)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Los Angeles to Gothenborg. The right side wins overall primarily for the dramatic LA departure views. The polar route over Greenland and the North Atlantic offers limited differentiated views by side — both see ice and ocean — but the right side also gets slightly better angles on Greenland's ice sheet edge during the crossing. The Gothenburg arrival is the stronger view on the left, but the LA departure spectacle tips the balance to the right.
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 westbound over the Pacific on runways 24L/24R, then turns north. A right-side seat gives you the sweep back over Santa Monica Bay, the Santa Monica Mountains, and the LA Basin sprawl as the aircraft banks north toward the polar route. Left side faces open ocean. Notable sights include: Santa Monica Bay coastline, Santa Monica Mountains ridge, downtown LA skyline to the northeast, Palos Verdes Peninsula.
What can I see when landing at Landvetter in Gothenborg?
When landing at Landvetter (GOT), sit on the Left side for the best views. Landvetter typically uses runway 03 for arrivals from the south, meaning the approach comes in from the southwest over the Swedish archipelago and Gothenburg. A left-side seat gives views of the Gothenburg urban area, the Göta älv river estuary, and the southern Swedish coast as you descend. Notable sights include: Gothenburg city center and harbor, Göta älv river, Swedish west coast archipelago islands, Kungsbacka Fjord.
How long is the flight from Los Angeles to Gothenborg?
The flight from Los Angeles International (LAX) to Landvetter (GOT) takes about 11 hours 30 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 5,492 miles (8,838 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Los Angeles to Gothenborg flight path pass over?
The great circle route tracks northwest over Northern California and Oregon, then crosses British Columbia and the Yukon. It passes over the southern tip of Greenland and its ice sheet, then crosses Iceland or just south of it, before tracking over the Norwegian Sea and descending across southern Norway and the Skagerrak strait into Sweden. Greenland's coastal fjords and the Vatnajokull ice cap area of Iceland are the most visually dramatic midpoint features if routing permits.