Both sides are dominated by many hours of open Pacific Ocean, but the left side's volcanic Java approach into Jakarta offers a more dramatic and memorable payoff than the right side's LA-basin takeoff view, giving it a slight overall edge.
Flown LAX to HLP? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Los Angeles to Jakarta is 8,973 miles (14,441 km), a flight of about 17 hours 15 minutes.
The route crosses thousands of miles of open Pacific Ocean with no land in sight for most of the flight; it passes well south of Hawaii and may bring the Philippine archipelago (Luzon) briefly into view before the descent toward Java.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from LAX
RIGHTLAX's west-flow departure sends aircraft out over Santa Monica Bay, and as the jet climbs and settles onto its southwesterly track toward the mid-Pacific, the right-side window looks back north over the Los Angeles basin toward the San Gabriel Mountains and the sprawling city grid before the coastline fades. The left side mostly shows open ocean and a fleeting glimpse of Catalina Island.
Landing at HLP
LEFTArrivals into Halim typically approach from the east over the Java Sea before turning onto final for runway 24, putting the volcanic peaks of West Java—Gede and Pangrango—on the left side as the aircraft descends toward Jakarta. The right side mainly shows flat coastal plain and the hazy Java Sea with the Thousand Islands scattered offshore.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Los Angeles International (LAX) to Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport (HLP)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Los Angeles to Jakarta. Both sides are dominated by many hours of open Pacific Ocean, but the left side's volcanic Java approach into Jakarta offers a more dramatic and memorable payoff than the right side's LA-basin takeoff view, giving it a slight overall edge.
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's west-flow departure sends aircraft out over Santa Monica Bay, and as the jet climbs and settles onto its southwesterly track toward the mid-Pacific, the right-side window looks back north over the Los Angeles basin toward the San Gabriel Mountains and the sprawling city grid before the coastline fades. The left side mostly shows open ocean and a fleeting glimpse of Catalina Island. Notable sights include: Los Angeles basin skyline, San Gabriel Mountains, Santa Monica Bay coastline, Catalina Island (distant).
What can I see when landing at Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport in Jakarta?
When landing at Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport (HLP), sit on the Left side for the best views. Arrivals into Halim typically approach from the east over the Java Sea before turning onto final for runway 24, putting the volcanic peaks of West Java—Gede and Pangrango—on the left side as the aircraft descends toward Jakarta. The right side mainly shows flat coastal plain and the hazy Java Sea with the Thousand Islands scattered offshore. Notable sights include: Mount Gede-Pangrango volcanic complex, Jakarta's urban sprawl, Java Sea, Thousand Islands (Kepulauan Seribu).
How long is the flight from Los Angeles to Jakarta?
The flight from Los Angeles International (LAX) to Halim Perdanakusuma International Airport (HLP) takes about 17 hours 15 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 8,973 miles (14,441 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Los Angeles to Jakarta flight path pass over?
The route crosses thousands of miles of open Pacific Ocean with no land in sight for most of the flight; it passes well south of Hawaii and may bring the Philippine archipelago (Luzon) briefly into view before the descent toward Java.