Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Los Angeles to Manila. While the right side wins at takeoff for the LA basin views, the left side delivers the more spectacular arrival into Manila Bay, and also captures the Philippine archipelago approach — seeing the Luzon coastline and island chains emerge from the South China Sea. The Manila Bay approach is genuinely one of the great urban water approaches in aviation.

During takeoff from Los Angeles International (LAX), sit on the Right side for the best views. LAX typically departs westward over the Pacific on runways 24L/24R, then aircraft turn northbound before banking west-northwest toward the Pacific. A right-side seat captures the LA basin, the Santa Monica Mountains, and the sprawl of the San Fernando Valley before the coast disappears behind you. Left side faces open ocean almost immediately. Notable sights include: Santa Monica Mountains ridge, Los Angeles basin grid, Catalina Island on the southern horizon, Palos Verdes Peninsula coastline.

When landing at Ninoy Aquino International (MNL), sit on the Left side for the best views. NAIA approaches from the west or northwest, typically landing on runway 06 or 24. On the common approach from the South China Sea heading eastward, the left side faces Manila Bay directly — one of the most dramatic urban waterfront approaches in Asia, with the Pasig River delta and the Manila city skyline visible. Right side faces suburban Cavite and less distinctive terrain. Notable sights include: Manila Bay, Manila city skyline and Roxas Boulevard waterfront, Laguna de Bay (large lake to the southeast), Bataan Peninsula across the bay.

The flight from Los Angeles International (LAX) to Ninoy Aquino International (MNL) takes Approximately 14 to 15 hours.

The flight tracks northwest from LA across the North Pacific, passing south of the Aleutian Islands arc. The route crosses the International Date Line roughly 5-6 hours in. The vast open North Pacific offers little visual interest at altitude due to cloud cover and ocean uniformity. Descending toward the Philippines, the northern Luzon coast and the Sierra Madre mountain range become visible, followed by the island-dotted Luzon interior and Manila Bay on approach.