Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Portland to Los Angeles. The left side delivers the dramatic Mount Hood and Columbia River Gorge views on departure, then tracks the Cascade and Sierra Nevada ranges through the flight. While the right side wins on landing, the takeoff scenery on the left is significantly more spectacular and memorable for the majority of the flight.

During takeoff from Portland International (PDX), sit on the Left side for the best views. PDX typically departs south on runway 28L/28R or 10L/10R. On a southbound departure, the left (east) side gives you a direct view of Mount Hood rising above the Columbia River Gorge. The Cascades chain stretches clearly to the south from this vantage. Notable sights include: Mount Hood, Columbia River Gorge, Portland city grid, Mount St. Helens to the north.

When landing at Los Angeles International (LAX), sit on the Right side for the best views. LAX approaches from the east on runway 24L/24R heading west, placing the right (north) side over the Santa Monica Bay coastline, Malibu, and the Pacific Ocean. The left side faces south toward less distinctive suburban sprawl. Notable sights include: Santa Monica Bay, Malibu coastline, Santa Monica Mountains, Los Angeles basin grid.

The flight from Portland International (PDX) to Los Angeles International (LAX) takes Approximately 2 hours 15 minutes.

The flight tracks south over the Oregon Cascades including the Three Sisters and Crater Lake area, then crosses into California over the Shasta-Trinity region with Mount Shasta visible on clear days. The Central Valley's flat agricultural grid dominates the middle portion before the Sierra Nevada foothills appear to the east. The Tehachapi Mountains mark the transition into the LA basin.