Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Los Angeles to Papeete. While takeoff slightly favors the right side for LA's coastline, the left side wins overall because of the spectacular Tahiti approach — volcanic peaks and lagoon reef are a rare, dramatic payoff that outweighs the marginal takeoff difference, especially given the long ocean crossing in between offers no scenery on either side.

During takeoff from Los Angeles International (LAX), sit on the Right side for the best views. Flights out of LAX typically depart westbound over the Pacific before turning south, giving right-side passengers a view of the Palos Verdes Peninsula and Santa Monica Bay coastline. Left side mostly sees the Los Angeles basin sprawl and San Gabriel Mountains in the distance, which is decent but less immediately striking. Notable sights include: Santa Monica Bay, Palos Verdes Peninsula, Catalina Island (distant), Los Angeles coastline.

When landing at Fa'a'ā International Airport (PPT), sit on the Left side for the best views. Approaching Papeete, the aircraft typically comes in from the northeast, and the left side offers views of Tahiti's dramatic volcanic peaks and the lagoon barrier reef as the plane descends. The jagged interior mountains and turquoise reef waters make for one of the more striking approaches in the Pacific. Notable sights include: Mount Orohena, Tahiti's volcanic interior ridges, the barrier reef lagoon, Moorea island silhouette.

The flight from Los Angeles International (LAX) to Fa'a'ā International Airport (PPT) takes 8h 05m.

Open Pacific Ocean for most of the route, crossing near the Line Islands region with no visible land for several hours until approaching French Polynesia