While the right side wins at takeoff for the LA Basin and San Gabriel Mountains, the left side delivers the more dramatic payoff: over Arizona and New Mexico it tracks closer to the southern Rockies, and the Manhattan arrival view on the left is one of the most iconic urban approaches in aviation. The left side's landing experience edges it overall.
Flown LAX to LGA? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Los Angeles to New York is 2,464 miles (3,965 km), a flight of about 5 hours 15 minutes.
The flight path crosses the Mojave Desert and Colorado River near Needles, then the Arizona high desert plateau, Albuquerque and the Rio Grande valley, the Texas Panhandle flatlands, then the southern Great Plains of Oklahoma and Kansas, the Ozarks of Missouri and Arkansas, the Ohio River valley, the Appalachian ridges of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, before descending into the New York metro area
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from LAX
RIGHTLAX departures heading east on runways 24L/24R (westward) or climbing out eastbound on 06L/06R give the right side a clear view of the Santa Monica Mountains, the Hollywood Hills, and downtown Los Angeles. The right side tracks the urban sprawl of the LA Basin with the San Gabriel Mountains rising sharply behind it.
Landing at LGA
LEFTLGA approaches typically come in from the southwest over New Jersey or from the north over the Bronx. On the common River Visual approach to runway 13, the left side gets a direct view down the Hudson River corridor with Manhattan's skyline laid out clearly, plus the East River and the bridges connecting Manhattan to Brooklyn and Queens.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Los Angeles International (LAX) to La Guardia (LGA)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Los Angeles to New York. While the right side wins at takeoff for the LA Basin and San Gabriel Mountains, the left side delivers the more dramatic payoff: over Arizona and New Mexico it tracks closer to the southern Rockies, and the Manhattan arrival view on the left is one of the most iconic urban approaches in aviation. The left side's landing experience edges it overall.
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 east on runways 24L/24R (westward) or climbing out eastbound on 06L/06R give the right side a clear view of the Santa Monica Mountains, the Hollywood Hills, and downtown Los Angeles. The right side tracks the urban sprawl of the LA Basin with the San Gabriel Mountains rising sharply behind it. Notable sights include: Santa Monica Mountains, Downtown Los Angeles skyline, San Gabriel Mountains, Griffith Observatory area on the Hollywood Hills.
What can I see when landing at La Guardia in New York?
When landing at La Guardia (LGA), sit on the Left side for the best views. LGA approaches typically come in from the southwest over New Jersey or from the north over the Bronx. On the common River Visual approach to runway 13, the left side gets a direct view down the Hudson River corridor with Manhattan's skyline laid out clearly, plus the East River and the bridges connecting Manhattan to Brooklyn and Queens. Notable sights include: Manhattan skyline, Hudson River, East River bridges (Queensboro, Williamsburg, Brooklyn), Central Park.
How long is the flight from Los Angeles to New York?
The flight from Los Angeles International (LAX) to La Guardia (LGA) takes about 5 hours 15 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 2,464 miles (3,965 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Los Angeles to New York flight path pass over?
The flight path crosses the Mojave Desert and Colorado River near Needles, then the Arizona high desert plateau, Albuquerque and the Rio Grande valley, the Texas Panhandle flatlands, then the southern Great Plains of Oklahoma and Kansas, the Ozarks of Missouri and Arkansas, the Ohio River valley, the Appalachian ridges of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, before descending into the New York metro area