Puerto Vallarta to Los Angeles is 1,219 miles (1,962 km), a flight of about 2 hours 55 minutes.
Right side wins both ends of the flight. During the cruise phase over the Pacific and Baja California, the right side also faces east toward the Baja Peninsula and the Gulf of California when the route tracks up the coast, making it consistently the more geographically interesting side throughout.
Flight Path
The route typically tracks northwest up the Mexican Pacific coast before crossing the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula or the Gulf of California. Visible features include the Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez) as a narrow blue channel separating Baja from mainland Mexico, the rugged spine of the Baja Peninsula's Sierra de la Giganta range, Guadalupe Island (a remote volcanic island off Baja's Pacific coast), and the Channel Islands off Southern California appearing on descent.
Great circle distance and headings ›Phase by phase
Takeoff from PVR
RIGHTPVR's runway 04 departure heads northeast over Banderas Bay before turning north. The right side faces west over the open bay and the Pacific, giving a sweeping view of the bay's arc and the Sierra Madre foothills dropping into the water. Left side gets the city and inland mountains but loses the bay quickly.
Landing at LAX
RIGHTLAX typically lands on runways 24L/24R from the east, meaning the approach comes in over the Los Angeles Basin from inland. The right side faces north over the city grid, Santa Monica, and the Santa Monica Mountains, while the left side looks south toward the South Bay and ocean. The right side delivers the more dramatic urban panorama with recognizable landmarks.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Licenciado Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International (PVR) to Los Angeles International (LAX)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Puerto Vallarta to Los Angeles. Right side wins both ends of the flight. During the cruise phase over the Pacific and Baja California, the right side also faces east toward the Baja Peninsula and the Gulf of California when the route tracks up the coast, making it consistently the more geographically interesting side throughout.
What can I see during takeoff from Licenciado Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International in Puerto Vallarta?
During takeoff from Licenciado Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International (PVR), sit on the Right side for the best views. PVR's runway 04 departure heads northeast over Banderas Bay before turning north. The right side faces west over the open bay and the Pacific, giving a sweeping view of the bay's arc and the Sierra Madre foothills dropping into the water. Left side gets the city and inland mountains but loses the bay quickly. Notable sights include: Banderas Bay (one of the largest bays in Mexico), the Sierra Madre Occidental foothills meeting the coast, the Cabo Corrientes headland to the south, Puerto Vallarta's beachfront Zona Hotelera.
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 typically lands on runways 24L/24R from the east, meaning the approach comes in over the Los Angeles Basin from inland. The right side faces north over the city grid, Santa Monica, and the Santa Monica Mountains, while the left side looks south toward the South Bay and ocean. The right side delivers the more dramatic urban panorama with recognizable landmarks. Notable sights include: Los Angeles Basin urban grid, Santa Monica Mountains (Hollywood Hills section), Santa Monica Bay coastline, downtown Los Angeles skyline visible to the northeast.
How long is the flight from Puerto Vallarta to Los Angeles?
The flight from Licenciado Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International (PVR) to Los Angeles International (LAX) takes about 2 hours 55 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 1,219 miles (1,962 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Puerto Vallarta to Los Angeles flight path pass over?
The route typically tracks northwest up the Mexican Pacific coast before crossing the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula or the Gulf of California. Visible features include the Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez) as a narrow blue channel separating Baja from mainland Mexico, the rugged spine of the Baja Peninsula's Sierra de la Giganta range, Guadalupe Island (a remote volcanic island off Baja's Pacific coast), and the Channel Islands off Southern California appearing on descent.