While the right side wins at takeoff for the LA coastal and mountain views, the left side delivers the more dramatic sustained scenery over the full flight: the Rocky Mountains during the early transcon segment, then Greenland's ice sheet and fjords on the polar routing, and finally the Alps and Italian lakes on descent into Milan. The Alpine approach alone makes left the clear overall winner.
Flown LAX to LIN? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Los Angeles to Milan is 6,052 miles (9,739 km), a flight of about 12 hours 30 minutes.
The route typically arcs over the Rocky Mountains of Colorado or Utah shortly after departure, then crosses the Great Plains and Great Lakes region. Over Canada the flight passes above the boreal forests of Quebec or Ontario. The polar or North Atlantic routing then takes the aircraft near or over southern Greenland, where the ice sheet and coastal fjords are visible in clear conditions. Crossing into Europe, the flight passes over the British Isles or northern France before descending across the Swiss Plateau and the southern Alpine foothills into the Po Valley.
Great circle distance and headings ›.jpg?width=600)
.jpeg?width=600)
.jpg?width=600)
Phase by phase
Takeoff from LAX
RIGHTLAX departures on runways 24L/24R head westward over the Pacific before turning north, then northeast. The right side gives you the Santa Monica Bay coastline, the Palos Verdes Peninsula, and as the aircraft banks north, the downtown LA skyline and the San Gabriel Mountains come into view. Left side faces open ocean during the initial climb.
Landing at LIN
LEFTLinate sits just east of Milan city center, and aircraft typically approach from the west on runway 36 or from the east on runway 18. On a transalpine approach from the northwest, the left side gives you the best view of the Alps during descent, followed by Lake Como and Lake Maggiore, and then the Po Valley spreading out toward Milan. The right side faces south toward the flat agricultural plain.
Will your flight be in sunlight?
Pick a date and time in the Sun Map to watch the sun move across your whole flight.
About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Los Angeles International (LAX) to Linate (LIN)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Los Angeles to Milan. While the right side wins at takeoff for the LA coastal and mountain views, the left side delivers the more dramatic sustained scenery over the full flight: the Rocky Mountains during the early transcon segment, then Greenland's ice sheet and fjords on the polar routing, and finally the Alps and Italian lakes on descent into Milan. The Alpine approach alone makes left the clear overall winner.
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 on runways 24L/24R head westward over the Pacific before turning north, then northeast. The right side gives you the Santa Monica Bay coastline, the Palos Verdes Peninsula, and as the aircraft banks north, the downtown LA skyline and the San Gabriel Mountains come into view. Left side faces open ocean during the initial climb. Notable sights include: Santa Monica Bay coastline, Palos Verdes Peninsula, downtown Los Angeles skyline, San Gabriel Mountains.
What can I see when landing at Linate in Milan?
When landing at Linate (LIN), sit on the Left side for the best views. Linate sits just east of Milan city center, and aircraft typically approach from the west on runway 36 or from the east on runway 18. On a transalpine approach from the northwest, the left side gives you the best view of the Alps during descent, followed by Lake Como and Lake Maggiore, and then the Po Valley spreading out toward Milan. The right side faces south toward the flat agricultural plain. Notable sights include: Swiss and Italian Alps, Lake Como, Lake Maggiore, Milan urban area.
How long is the flight from Los Angeles to Milan?
The flight from Los Angeles International (LAX) to Linate (LIN) takes about 12 hours 30 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 6,052 miles (9,739 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Los Angeles to Milan flight path pass over?
The route typically arcs over the Rocky Mountains of Colorado or Utah shortly after departure, then crosses the Great Plains and Great Lakes region. Over Canada the flight passes above the boreal forests of Quebec or Ontario. The polar or North Atlantic routing then takes the aircraft near or over southern Greenland, where the ice sheet and coastal fjords are visible in clear conditions. Crossing into Europe, the flight passes over the British Isles or northern France before descending across the Swiss Plateau and the southern Alpine foothills into the Po Valley.