About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Heathrow (LHR) to Los Angeles International (LAX)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from London to Los Angeles. Right side wins both ends of the flight. Over the North Atlantic the views are largely ocean regardless of side, but the right side also tracks slightly closer to Greenland's ice sheet and the Canadian coastline on the great circle route, offering occasional dramatic terrain glimpses during the mid-flight hours.
What can I see during takeoff from Heathrow in London?
During takeoff from Heathrow (LHR), sit on the Right side for the best views. Heathrow departures on the eastbound runways (09L/09R) swing north then west, putting the right side over central London. You get a clear view of the Thames snaking through the city, the City of London skyline, and the sprawl of west London before heading out over the Home Counties. Notable sights include: Thames River bends through central London, City of London/Canary Wharf towers, Windsor Castle and Great Park, Chiltern Hills escarpment.
What can I see when landing at Los Angeles International in Los Angeles?
When landing at Los Angeles International (LAX), sit on the Right side for the best views. LAX arrivals typically come in from the east on runways 24L/24R heading west, meaning the right side faces north over the Los Angeles Basin. This gives you the Santa Monica Mountains, the Hollywood Hills, downtown LA's skyline, and the full sweep of the basin before touchdown near the coast. Notable sights include: Downtown Los Angeles skyline, Hollywood Hills and Griffith Observatory, Santa Monica Mountains, Santa Monica Bay coastline.
How long is the flight from London to Los Angeles?
The flight from Heathrow (LHR) to Los Angeles International (LAX) takes Approximately 10 to 11 hours westbound.
What does the London to Los Angeles flight path pass over?
The great circle route arcs northwest over Ireland, then across the North Atlantic passing south of Iceland. It crosses southern Greenland's ice cap and glaciated fjords around the midpoint, then tracks over the Canadian Maritime provinces and Quebec, across the Great Lakes region, over the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and Utah, and descends across the Mojave Desert into the Los Angeles Basin. The Rockies and Sierra Nevada are the most visually dramatic terrain features in the final two hours.