Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Los Angeles to Washington. The right side delivers the more dramatic takeoff views over the LA Basin and San Gabriel Mountains, and during the cruise over the Southwest and mid-continent offers views of the Colorado Plateau, Grand Canyon region, and Ozarks. The left side landing view at Dulles is strong but the right side advantage at departure and along the flight path edges it out overall.

During takeoff from Los Angeles International (LAX), sit on the Right side for the best views. LAX departures heading east use runways 24L/24R departing westward over the ocean before turning, or runways 06L/06R heading east. On the dominant westward departure over the Pacific, right side passengers get the Santa Monica Bay and Palos Verdes Peninsula. On eastward departures, right side gets the San Gabriel Mountains and downtown LA skyline as the aircraft climbs out over the basin. Notable sights include: Santa Monica Bay, Palos Verdes Peninsula, San Gabriel Mountains (including Mt. San Antonio at 10,064 ft), downtown Los Angeles grid.

When landing at Washington Dulles International (IAD), sit on the Left side for the best views. Dulles arrivals typically approach from the west on runways 01L/01R or 19L/19R, or from the east on 30. On the common westerly approach heading east, left side passengers get views of the Blue Ridge Mountains to the south and the Shenandoah Valley before crossing into the Virginia suburbs. On final approach from the west, left side also captures the Potomac River and the Washington DC monuments in the distance. Notable sights include: Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah Valley, Potomac River, Washington DC Mall and monuments (Capitol, Washington Monument visible as small but distinct features), Virginia suburban sprawl of Fairfax County.

The flight from Los Angeles International (LAX) to Washington Dulles International (IAD) takes Approximately 4 hours 45 minutes to 5 hours 15 minutes.

The flight path typically tracks northeast from LAX over the Mojave Desert, then across the Colorado Plateau where the Grand Canyon and Lake Powell are visible to the right side at cruising altitude. The route then crosses the Rocky Mountains over southern Colorado or New Mexico, followed by the Great Plains of Kansas and Missouri, the Mississippi River valley, and the Appalachian ridges of West Virginia and Virginia before descending into Dulles.