About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Minneapolis St Paul International (MSP) to Los Angeles International (LAX)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Minneapolis to Los Angeles. The left side wins at takeoff but the right side delivers the more dramatic payoff on approach — the Pacific Ocean, the Santa Monica Bay coastline, and the Palos Verdes Peninsula on final into LAX are genuinely spectacular. During the cruise over the Rockies and Mojave, the right (north) side also gets slightly better views of the San Bernardino and San Gabriel mountain ranges as the aircraft descends into Southern California.
What can I see during takeoff from Minneapolis St Paul International in Minneapolis?
During takeoff from Minneapolis St Paul International (MSP), sit on the Left side for the best views. MSP primarily departs southwest on runways 12L/12R or 17, meaning the left (south/east) side gets views over downtown Minneapolis, the Mississippi River gorge, and the chain of lakes. The right side faces industrial areas and suburban sprawl with little of interest. Notable sights include: Downtown Minneapolis skyline, Mississippi River gorge and locks, Lake Nokomis and Lake Hiawatha, Fort Snelling at the river confluence.
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 primarily lands eastbound on runways 24L/24R or 25L/25R, with aircraft approaching from the ocean over Santa Monica Bay. The right (south) side gets the Pacific coastline, Manhattan Beach, and the South Bay communities, while the left side faces inland toward Inglewood and the urban basin. Notable sights include: Santa Monica Bay and Pacific coastline, Palos Verdes Peninsula, Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach shoreline, Long Beach harbor in the distance.
How long is the flight from Minneapolis to Los Angeles?
The flight from Minneapolis St Paul International (MSP) to Los Angeles International (LAX) takes Approximately 3 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours 50 minutes.
What does the Minneapolis to Los Angeles flight path pass over?
The flight tracks southwest over Iowa and Nebraska, crossing the Missouri River near Omaha. It then crosses the Colorado Rockies — the Front Range and potentially the Sangre de Cristo Mountains are visible depending on exact routing. Over New Mexico and Arizona the terrain transitions to high desert plateau and canyon country, with the Mojave Desert visible on descent. The San Bernardino Mountains and the eastern edge of the Los Angeles Basin appear in the final 30 minutes of descent.