About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Los Angeles International (LAX) to Capital (PEK)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Los Angeles to Beijing. The right side wins overall because the LAX departure offers genuinely dramatic coastal and urban scenery over a populated, visually rich area. The Beijing landing on the left is good but the city approach is relatively flat and hazy. Across the Pacific cruise, both sides see open ocean, but the Aleutian Islands chain passes to the north and may be faintly visible on the right side depending on the exact routing.
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 west over the Pacific typically use runways 24L/24R, and right-side seats get the last views of the LA Basin, the Santa Monica Mountains, and the coastline curving south toward Palos Verdes before the aircraft turns north. Left side faces open ocean immediately. Notable sights include: Santa Monica Bay coastline, Palos Verdes Peninsula, downtown LA skyline to the northeast, Santa Monica Mountains ridge.
What can I see when landing at Capital in Beijing?
When landing at Capital (PEK), sit on the Left side for the best views. Beijing Capital Airport approaches typically come from the northeast on runways 01/18 direction, meaning the aircraft tracks over the northern outskirts of Beijing. Left-side seats face west toward the city center, giving views of the urban core, the Olympic Green area, and the Yanshan Mountains to the northwest as you descend. Notable sights include: Beijing urban core and ring roads, Olympic Green and National Stadium area, Yanshan Mountains to the northwest, Ming Tombs reservoir valley.
How long is the flight from Los Angeles to Beijing?
The flight from Los Angeles International (LAX) to Capital (PEK) takes Approximately 11 to 13 hours depending on winds and routing.
What does the Los Angeles to Beijing flight path pass over?
The great circle route arcs north over the Pacific, passing south of the Aleutian Islands chain and the Alaskan Peninsula. The Kamchatka Peninsula and its volcanic peaks may be visible on clear days to the right side. The route then crosses the Sea of Okhotsk, northeastern China's Manchurian plain, and descends over the North China Plain into Beijing. Most of the flight is over open ocean with no landmarks visible.