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 Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Los Angeles to Portland. Right side wins at takeoff for the LA coastline, but left side delivers the more dramatic scenery overall — the entire Cascade Range runs along the left side of the flight path heading north, including views of Mount Shasta, Mount McLoughlin, Crater Lake area, and the approach into Portland with Mount Hood. The Cascades are the defining visual feature of this route.
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 typically departs westward over the ocean on runways 24L/24R, then turns north. Right side gives you the Santa Monica Bay coastline, the Palos Verdes Peninsula, and a clear look back at the LA Basin as you climb out. Left side faces inland toward the haze over the San Fernando Valley. Notable sights include: Santa Monica Bay, Palos Verdes Peninsula, Catalina Island (on clear days), the LA Basin grid.
What can I see when landing at Portland International in Portland?
When landing at Portland International (PDX), sit on the Left side for the best views. PDX typically lands on runways 28L/28R approaching from the east, meaning the aircraft comes in from the Columbia River Gorge direction. Left side gives you Mount Hood prominently to the southeast and the Columbia River below as you descend. Right side faces north toward Washington state with less dramatic terrain. Notable sights include: Mount Hood, Columbia River, Portland city center, Mount St. Helens (distant, to the north).
How long is the flight from Los Angeles to Portland?
The flight from Los Angeles International (LAX) to Portland International (PDX) takes Approximately 2 hours 15 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes.
What does the Los Angeles to Portland flight path pass over?
The flight tracks roughly up the Central Valley of California before crossing into Oregon. Key features along the left (west-facing) side include the Sacramento Valley, Mount Shasta's massive isolated cone near the California-Oregon border, the Klamath Mountains, Crater Lake rim visible on clear days, the Willamette Valley, and the string of Cascade volcanoes — Shasta, McLoughlin, the Three Sisters, and Hood — that march northward along the left horizon throughout the Oregon portion of the flight.