About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Philadelphia International (PHL) to Los Angeles International (LAX)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Philadelphia to Los Angeles. The right side wins overall because the LAX arrival view of the Santa Monica Mountains and the LA Basin is more dramatic and sustained than the PHL departure. Across the flight, the right side also picks up the Rockies and Colorado Plateau terrain more directly as the route tracks southwest, giving better mountain views during cruise.
What can I see during takeoff from Philadelphia International in Philadelphia?
During takeoff from Philadelphia International (PHL), sit on the Left side for the best views. PHL primarily departs westbound on runways 27L/27R, so the left (south) side gives you a clear view back over the Delaware River, South Philadelphia, and the city skyline as you bank. The right side faces north toward the suburbs with less to see. Notable sights include: Delaware River waterfront, Philadelphia city skyline and Center City towers, Veterans Stadium site/South Philly sports complex, Delaware Bay in the distance.
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 westbound on 06L/06R depending on wind, but the dominant flow is from the east (runways 24s), meaning aircraft approach from the east over the LA Basin. The right (north) side gives you the Santa Monica Mountains, the Hollywood Hills, and the LA grid, while the left side faces south toward the ocean and less distinctive terrain. Notable sights include: Santa Monica Mountains and Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles Basin urban grid, Santa Monica Bay and Pacific coastline, Downtown LA skyline in the distance to the northeast.
How long is the flight from Philadelphia to Los Angeles?
The flight from Philadelphia International (PHL) to Los Angeles International (LAX) takes Approximately 5 hours 30 minutes to 6 hours.
What does the Philadelphia to Los Angeles flight path pass over?
The route tracks southwest over the Appalachians in Pennsylvania and West Virginia, then across the Ohio Valley, the Mississippi River near St. Louis, the Ozark Plateau in Missouri and Arkansas, across Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle, then over the Sangre de Cristo and Rocky Mountains in New Mexico and Arizona, the Colorado Plateau with its canyon systems, and the Mojave Desert before descending into the LA Basin