Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from New Orleans to Las Vegas. The left side wins overall. At takeoff you get the most dramatic view of New Orleans, Lake Pontchartrain, and the Mississippi River. During the cruise across Texas and New Mexico the left side tracks closer to interesting terrain including the Hill Country and the Sacramento Mountains. The right side edges ahead only on final approach into Las Vegas, but the takeoff and mid-flight scenery tips the balance left.

During takeoff from Louis Armstrong New Orleans International (MSY), sit on the Left side for the best views. MSY typically departs westbound on runway 10/28 or northbound on runway 01/19. A left-side seat gives you a clear view back over Lake Pontchartrain to the north and the Mississippi River's dramatic bends through New Orleans. The city grid and the French Quarter's dense urban core are visible on the left as you climb out heading west or northwest. Notable sights include: Lake Pontchartrain (massive lake immediately north of the city), Mississippi River oxbow bends through downtown New Orleans, New Orleans city grid and Superdome, Lake Borgne to the east.

When landing at Mc Carran International (LAS), sit on the Right side for the best views. Las Vegas McCarran typically lands from the north or east on runways 26L/26R or 01/19. A right-side seat on approach from the east gives you a direct view of the Las Vegas Strip laid out below and the Spring Mountains including Charleston Peak to the west. The Mojave Desert basin framing the city is spectacular on this side. Notable sights include: Las Vegas Strip (visible as dense cluster of large resort buildings), Spring Mountains and Mount Charleston to the west, Lake Mead reservoir to the northeast, Hoover Dam at the Colorado River.

The flight from Louis Armstrong New Orleans International (MSY) to Mc Carran International (LAS) takes Approximately 3 hours 15 minutes to 3 hours 30 minutes.

The flight crosses the Texas Hill Country west of San Antonio, then the flat Chihuahuan Desert of west Texas and southern New Mexico. The Rio Grande valley and the city of El Paso are visible to the south depending on routing. The Sacramento Mountains and White Sands region of New Mexico pass to the north or directly below. The flight then crosses the Sonoran and Mojave Desert transition zones of Arizona and southern Nevada before descending into the Las Vegas Valley.