New Orleans to Las Vegas flight pathMSYLSV

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Flight time3h 45m
Distance1,492
Heading293° → 280°

New Orleans to Las Vegas is 1,492 miles (2,401 km), a flight of about 3 hours 45 minutes.

Best side
LeftMostly left

While takeoff offers excellent river views from the right, the landing approach provides more dramatic and sustained scenery. The Spring Mountains and Red Rock Canyon are visually striking and occupy a larger portion of the descent, making left-side seats the better overall choice for this route.

Takeoff · MSYRIGHTMississippi River with its characteristic oxbow bends, Lake Pontchartrain and the long causeway bridge, New Orleans urban sprawl along the river
Landing · LSVLEFTSpring Mountains, Red Rock Canyon's red and tan cliff faces, Las Vegas urban sprawl and the Strip corridor

Flight Path

Flight path overview

The flight path crosses the Gulf Coast, then traverses the flat terrain of Texas and New Mexico. Notable features include the Texas Panhandle's plains (relatively featureless at altitude), the Rio Grande valley near El Paso (visible as a thin green line through desert), and the transition into the Basin and Range topography of southern Nevada with scattered mountain ranges appearing as isolated ridges across the desert floor.

Great circle distance and headings ›

Phase by phase

Aerial window seat view during takeoff from New Orleans (right side) — Mississippi River with its characteristic oxbow bends, Lake Pontchartrain and the long causeway bridge, New Orleans urban sprawl along the river, Bayou Sauvage wetlands to the east

Takeoff from MSY

RIGHT

Right side seats capture the Mississippi River's distinctive meanders as you climb out over the New Orleans area. MSY typically departs eastbound (Runways 10L/10R), so the right side faces north initially, giving excellent views of the river's curves and the Lake Pontchartrain causeway stretching across the water.

Mississippi River with its characteristic oxbow bendsLake Pontchartrain and the long causeway bridgeNew Orleans urban sprawl along the riverBayou Sauvage wetlands to the east

Landing at LSV

LEFT

Left side provides the best views during approach to Nellis AFB. Nellis typically uses Runways 03L/03R (northbound approaches), so left-side seats face west during descent, offering views of the Las Vegas Valley, the Spring Mountains, and the distinctive Red Rock Canyon escarpment.

Spring MountainsRed Rock Canyon's red and tan cliff facesLas Vegas urban sprawl and the Strip corridorLake Mead in the distance to the northeast

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About This Route

Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Louis Armstrong New Orleans International (MSY) to Nellis Afb (LSV)?

Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from New Orleans to Las Vegas. While takeoff offers excellent river views from the right, the landing approach provides more dramatic and sustained scenery. The Spring Mountains and Red Rock Canyon are visually striking and occupy a larger portion of the descent, making left-side seats the better overall choice for this route.

What can I see during takeoff from Louis Armstrong New Orleans International in New Orleans?

During takeoff from Louis Armstrong New Orleans International (MSY), sit on the Right side for the best views. Right side seats capture the Mississippi River's distinctive meanders as you climb out over the New Orleans area. MSY typically departs eastbound (Runways 10L/10R), so the right side faces north initially, giving excellent views of the river's curves and the Lake Pontchartrain causeway stretching across the water. Notable sights include: Mississippi River with its characteristic oxbow bends, Lake Pontchartrain and the long causeway bridge, New Orleans urban sprawl along the river, Bayou Sauvage wetlands to the east.

What can I see when landing at Nellis Afb in Las Vegas?

When landing at Nellis Afb (LSV), sit on the Left side for the best views. Left side provides the best views during approach to Nellis AFB. Nellis typically uses Runways 03L/03R (northbound approaches), so left-side seats face west during descent, offering views of the Las Vegas Valley, the Spring Mountains, and the distinctive Red Rock Canyon escarpment. Notable sights include: Spring Mountains (western edge of Las Vegas Valley), Red Rock Canyon's red and tan cliff faces, Las Vegas urban sprawl and the Strip corridor, Lake Mead in the distance to the northeast.

How long is the flight from New Orleans to Las Vegas?

The flight from Louis Armstrong New Orleans International (MSY) to Nellis Afb (LSV) takes about 3 hours 45 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 1,492 miles (2,401 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.

What does the New Orleans to Las Vegas flight path pass over?

The flight path crosses the Gulf Coast, then traverses the flat terrain of Texas and New Mexico. Notable features include the Texas Panhandle's plains (relatively featureless at altitude), the Rio Grande valley near El Paso (visible as a thin green line through desert), and the transition into the Basin and Range topography of southern Nevada with scattered mountain ranges appearing as isolated ridges across the desert floor.