The right side delivers more sustained scenic variety across the flight: Texas Hill Country and the Guadalupe Mountains during cruise, the gypsum dunes of White Sands and Chihuahuan Desert ranges further west, and the San Gabriel Mountains framing the final descent into LAX, compared to the left side's mostly flat Gulf coastal plain and desert lowlands.
Flight Path
Route crosses the Gulf of Mexico near the Louisiana coast, then the Texas Hill Country, the Rio Grande valley near El Paso, the Chihuahuan Desert and Guadalupe Mountains, and the Sonoran Desert of southern Arizona before reaching Southern California.
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from MCO
LEFTWestbound departures from MCO climb out over Orlando's lakes and, within a few minutes, pass just south of Walt Disney World, giving a brief but genuine glimpse of Epcot's geodesic dome and the Magic Kingdom area before the coastline gives way to the Gulf of Mexico. The right side only sees the flatter Ocala/Orlando suburbs.
Landing at LAX
RIGHTOn the standard eastern approach into LAX during west-flow operations, the descent path crosses the high desert and passes the San Gabriel Mountains before dropping into the Los Angeles basin, giving right-side passengers a dramatic mountain-to-city transition. The left side mostly faces the flatter Inland Empire and southern basin with fewer standout features.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Orlando International (MCO) to Los Angeles International (LAX)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Orlando to Los Angeles. The right side delivers more sustained scenic variety across the flight: Texas Hill Country and the Guadalupe Mountains during cruise, the gypsum dunes of White Sands and Chihuahuan Desert ranges further west, and the San Gabriel Mountains framing the final descent into LAX, compared to the left side's mostly flat Gulf coastal plain and desert lowlands.
What can I see during takeoff from Orlando International in Orlando?
During takeoff from Orlando International (MCO), sit on the Left side for the best views. Westbound departures from MCO climb out over Orlando's lakes and, within a few minutes, pass just south of Walt Disney World, giving a brief but genuine glimpse of Epcot's geodesic dome and the Magic Kingdom area before the coastline gives way to the Gulf of Mexico. The right side only sees the flatter Ocala/Orlando suburbs. Notable sights include: Walt Disney World (Epcot and Magic Kingdom area), Bay Lake, Central Florida lake district, Gulf of Mexico coastline.
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. On the standard eastern approach into LAX during west-flow operations, the descent path crosses the high desert and passes the San Gabriel Mountains before dropping into the Los Angeles basin, giving right-side passengers a dramatic mountain-to-city transition. The left side mostly faces the flatter Inland Empire and southern basin with fewer standout features. Notable sights include: San Gabriel Mountains, San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles basin skyline, Santa Monica Bay.
How long is the flight from Orlando to Los Angeles?
The flight from Orlando International (MCO) to Los Angeles International (LAX) takes 5h 10m.
What does the Orlando to Los Angeles flight path pass over?
Route crosses the Gulf of Mexico near the Louisiana coast, then the Texas Hill Country, the Rio Grande valley near El Paso, the Chihuahuan Desert and Guadalupe Mountains, and the Sonoran Desert of southern Arizona before reaching Southern California.