While the right side wins at takeoff for the LA coast views, the left side dominates the majority of this polar-routing flight. Over Canada you get Hudson Bay and the Canadian Shield lakes, over Greenland you see the ice cap edge, and over Scandinavia the Norwegian and Finnish landscapes. The Helsinki arrival on the left is also the more scenic of the two endpoints.
Flight Path
The great circle route tracks north over the Sierra Nevada and Cascades, then across British Columbia and the Canadian Shield with its thousands of lakes, over Hudson Bay, across southern Greenland where the ice sheet edge and fjords are visible, then over Iceland if routing permits, across the Norwegian Sea, over southern Norway and Sweden, and finally into Finland. The Greenland ice cap and Canadian lake district are the most dramatic midpoint features.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from LAX
RIGHTLAX departures heading west over the Pacific typically use runways 24L/24R, meaning a right-side seat faces north toward the Santa Monica Bay coastline, Malibu, and the Santa Monica Mountains. You get a clear view of the LA basin and the San Gabriel Mountains as the aircraft banks north.
Landing at HEL
LEFTHelsinki Vantaa typically uses runways 22L/22R or 15 for arrivals from the west, meaning the aircraft approaches from the southwest. A left-side seat faces southeast over the Helsinki city center, the archipelago of the Gulf of Finland, and Suomenlinna sea fortress. The Finnish lake district and forested landscape are visible on descent.
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 Helsinki Vantaa (HEL)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Los Angeles to Helsinki. While the right side wins at takeoff for the LA coast views, the left side dominates the majority of this polar-routing flight. Over Canada you get Hudson Bay and the Canadian Shield lakes, over Greenland you see the ice cap edge, and over Scandinavia the Norwegian and Finnish landscapes. The Helsinki arrival on the left is also the more scenic of the two endpoints.
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 west over the Pacific typically use runways 24L/24R, meaning a right-side seat faces north toward the Santa Monica Bay coastline, Malibu, and the Santa Monica Mountains. You get a clear view of the LA basin and the San Gabriel Mountains as the aircraft banks north. Notable sights include: Santa Monica Bay coastline, Malibu coast and Point Dume, San Gabriel Mountains, downtown LA skyline to the northeast.
What can I see when landing at Helsinki Vantaa in Helsinki?
When landing at Helsinki Vantaa (HEL), sit on the Left side for the best views. Helsinki Vantaa typically uses runways 22L/22R or 15 for arrivals from the west, meaning the aircraft approaches from the southwest. A left-side seat faces southeast over the Helsinki city center, the archipelago of the Gulf of Finland, and Suomenlinna sea fortress. The Finnish lake district and forested landscape are visible on descent. Notable sights include: Helsinki city center and harbor, Gulf of Finland archipelago, Suomenlinna sea fortress island, Finnish boreal forest and lake landscape.
How long is the flight from Los Angeles to Helsinki?
The flight from Los Angeles International (LAX) to Helsinki Vantaa (HEL) takes Approximately 11 to 12 hours.
What does the Los Angeles to Helsinki flight path pass over?
The great circle route tracks north over the Sierra Nevada and Cascades, then across British Columbia and the Canadian Shield with its thousands of lakes, over Hudson Bay, across southern Greenland where the ice sheet edge and fjords are visible, then over Iceland if routing permits, across the Norwegian Sea, over southern Norway and Sweden, and finally into Finland. The Greenland ice cap and Canadian lake district are the most dramatic midpoint features.