The eastern side delivers the Cascade volcanic arc—Mount Shasta, Lassen Peak, and eventually Mount Hood and Mount St. Helens—plus a mountainous departure over the LA basin, while the western side mostly shows flat Central Valley farmland and distant, rarely-visible coastline.
Flown LAX to PDX? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Los Angeles to Portland is 835 miles (1,343 km), a flight of about 2 hours 15 minutes.
Sierra Nevada foothills, Mount Shasta, Lassen Peak, and the northern Sacramento Valley give way to the Cascade volcanic chain approaching Oregon, including Mount McLoughlin near Medford.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from LAX
RIGHTIn LAX's typical west-flow departure, aircraft climb out over Santa Monica Bay then turn north toward Oregon, swinging the right side of the plane across the Santa Monica Mountains, the San Fernando Valley, and the San Gabriel Mountains beyond. The left side only sees open ocean during this turn.
Landing at PDX
RIGHTOn approach to PDX from the south, the descent and maneuvering for the westward-landing runways bring Mount Hood into view on the right side, along with Mount St. Helens further north across the Columbia River basin. These snow-capped Cascade volcanoes dominate the final minutes of the flight.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Los Angeles International (LAX) to Portland International (PDX)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Los Angeles to Portland. The eastern side delivers the Cascade volcanic arc—Mount Shasta, Lassen Peak, and eventually Mount Hood and Mount St. Helens—plus a mountainous departure over the LA basin, while the western side mostly shows flat Central Valley farmland and distant, rarely-visible coastline.
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. In LAX's typical west-flow departure, aircraft climb out over Santa Monica Bay then turn north toward Oregon, swinging the right side of the plane across the Santa Monica Mountains, the San Fernando Valley, and the San Gabriel Mountains beyond. The left side only sees open ocean during this turn. Notable sights include: Santa Monica Mountains, San Fernando Valley, San Gabriel Mountains, Santa Monica Bay coastline.
What can I see when landing at Portland International in Portland?
When landing at Portland International (PDX), sit on the Right side for the best views. On approach to PDX from the south, the descent and maneuvering for the westward-landing runways bring Mount Hood into view on the right side, along with Mount St. Helens further north across the Columbia River basin. These snow-capped Cascade volcanoes dominate the final minutes of the flight. Notable sights include: Mount Hood, Mount St. Helens, Columbia River, Willamette Valley farmland.
How long is the flight from Los Angeles to Portland?
The flight from Los Angeles International (LAX) to Portland International (PDX) takes about 2 hours 15 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 835 miles (1,343 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Los Angeles to Portland flight path pass over?
Sierra Nevada foothills, Mount Shasta, Lassen Peak, and the northern Sacramento Valley give way to the Cascade volcanic chain approaching Oregon, including Mount McLoughlin near Medford.