About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Orly (ORY) to Los Angeles International (LAX)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Paris to Los Angeles. While the left side wins at takeoff with the Paris city view, the right side delivers the more dramatic arrival sequence over Los Angeles, and also captures the Canadian Rockies and Sierra Nevada on the right side during the transoceanic routing. The LA approach on the right is one of the most visually rewarding urban arrivals in commercial aviation.
What can I see during takeoff from Orly in Paris?
During takeoff from Orly (ORY), sit on the Left side for the best views. Orly typically departs westbound on runway 08/26 or northbound on 07/25. A left-side seat gives you a clear view over central Paris as the aircraft climbs and turns northwest toward the Atlantic. You'll see the Seine snaking through the city and the Eiffel Tower standing out clearly against the urban grid. Notable sights include: Eiffel Tower, Seine River bends through central Paris, Notre-Dame island on the Île de la Cité, La Défense business district towers on the western horizon.
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 approaches from the east over land on runway 24L/24R heading west toward the Pacific. A right-side seat gives you the best view of downtown Los Angeles, the Hollywood Hills, and the Santa Monica Mountains before the aircraft descends over Inglewood toward the runway threshold. Left side faces south toward Long Beach and the harbor. Notable sights include: Downtown Los Angeles skyline, Hollywood Hills and Griffith Observatory ridge, Santa Monica Mountains, Santa Monica Bay coastline.
How long is the flight from Paris to Los Angeles?
The flight from Orly (ORY) to Los Angeles International (LAX) takes Approximately 11 to 12 hours.
What does the Paris to Los Angeles flight path pass over?
The route tracks northwest over the English Channel, then across southern England and Ireland before heading out over the North Atlantic. The flight crosses southern Greenland where the ice sheet and coastal fjords are visible in clear conditions. It then crosses northern Canada over Quebec and Ontario, the Great Lakes region, the Canadian Rockies over Alberta and British Columbia, and finally descends over the Sierra Nevada and Mojave Desert before reaching the Los Angeles Basin.