Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Los Angeles to Honolulu. Right side wins both departure and arrival. At cruise altitude over open ocean there is nothing to see on either side, so the takeoff and landing phases determine the winner, and right delivers the better views at both ends of the flight.

During takeoff from Los Angeles International (LAX), sit on the Right side for the best views. LAX typically departs westbound over the ocean on runways 24L/24R, then turns northwest toward Hawaii. The right side gives you a sweeping look back at the LA Basin, Santa Monica Bay, and the Santa Monica Mountains before the coast disappears. Left side faces open ocean almost immediately. Notable sights include: Santa Monica Bay coastline, Palos Verdes Peninsula, Santa Monica Mountains, downtown LA skyline in the distance.

When landing at Honolulu International (HNL), sit on the Right side for the best views. HNL typically lands eastbound on runways 08L/08R, approaching from the ocean over Pearl Harbor and the western Oahu coastline. The right side faces south, giving you Diamond Head, Waikiki, and the full sweep of Honolulu's waterfront. Left side looks toward the Waianae Range and inland Oahu. Notable sights include: Diamond Head crater, Waikiki Beach and Honolulu waterfront, Pearl Harbor, Koko Head crater.

The flight from Los Angeles International (LAX) to Honolulu International (HNL) takes Approximately 5 hours 30 minutes westbound.

The flight crosses entirely open Pacific Ocean. There are no islands, atolls, or land features visible along the direct great-circle route between California and Oahu. At cruise altitude you may occasionally see cloud formations over the ocean and, on very clear days, the curvature of the horizon, but no geographic landmarks exist along this segment of the route.