About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Los Angeles International (LAX) to Tampa International (TPA)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Los Angeles to Tampa. The right side wins overall because the LAX departure offers a genuinely spectacular view of the LA Basin, coastline, and San Gabriel Mountains during climb-out, which is more dramatic than the Tampa approach. Mid-flight over the Gulf Coast and Florida panhandle, the right side also picks up Gulf of Mexico water views. The Tampa landing view on the left is excellent but slightly shorter in duration.
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 south or east. A right-side seat gives you the sweep back over the LA Basin, the Santa Monica Bay coastline, and the downtown LA skyline as the aircraft banks. Left side faces open Pacific with little to see. Notable sights include: Downtown LA skyline, Santa Monica Bay coastline, San Gabriel Mountains to the northeast, Palos Verdes Peninsula.
What can I see when landing at Tampa International in Tampa?
When landing at Tampa International (TPA), sit on the Left side for the best views. TPA typically lands on runways 19L/19R heading south, or runway 01 heading north depending on winds. On the common southward approach over Tampa Bay, the left side gives you the full panorama of Tampa Bay, the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, and the St. Petersburg peninsula. Right side faces inland toward suburban sprawl. Notable sights include: Tampa Bay, Sunshine Skyway Bridge, St. Petersburg peninsula, downtown Tampa skyline.
How long is the flight from Los Angeles to Tampa?
The flight from Los Angeles International (LAX) to Tampa International (TPA) takes Approximately 4 hours 15 minutes to 4 hours 45 minutes.
What does the Los Angeles to Tampa flight path pass over?
The flight tracks southeast across the Sonoran Desert of Arizona, passing near Phoenix and Tucson visible as large urban grids in the desert. It then crosses southern New Mexico and west Texas, where the Rio Grande valley and Chihuahuan Desert terrain are visible. Over central Texas the landscape transitions to the Gulf Coastal Plain. The flight crosses the Gulf of Mexico coastline near Houston or the Louisiana coast, then tracks east-southeast across the Florida panhandle and the Gulf of Mexico before descending into Tampa. The Gulf of Mexico appears as a broad expanse of blue-green shallow water on the right side during the Florida approach.