Shanghai to Los Angeles flight path: PVG to LAX

Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Shanghai to Los Angeles. The right side bookends the flight with genuine scenery: Shanghai's river delta coastline on departure and a full pass over the mountainous Los Angeles basin on arrival, while the left side faces almost nothing but empty North Pacific for the bulk of the 11-plus hour crossing.

During takeoff from Shanghai Pudong International (PVG), sit on the Right side for the best views. Departing PVG, the aircraft climbs out over the Yangtze River estuary before turning east toward the Pacific. The right side looks down on the braided river mouth, Chongming Island, and the Hangzhou Bay coastline, while the left side mostly faces the flat inland suburbs. Notable sights include: Yangtze River estuary, Chongming Island, Hangzhou Bay coastline, East China Sea.

When landing at Los Angeles International (LAX), sit on the Right side for the best views. In LAX's typical west-flow arrival, the jet crosses the Los Angeles basin heading west just before touchdown. The right side faces north, giving a sweeping view of the San Gabriel Mountains, the San Fernando Valley, and the downtown LA skyline, while the left side mostly sees flatter South Bay suburbs and open ocean. Notable sights include: San Gabriel Mountains, Downtown Los Angeles skyline, Hollywood Hills, San Fernando Valley.

The flight from Shanghai Pudong International (PVG) to Los Angeles International (LAX) takes 11h 50m.

Open North Pacific Ocean south of the Aleutian Islands and west of the Gulf of Alaska, with no land visible for several hours around the flight's midpoint