About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Tampa International (TPA) to Los Angeles International (LAX)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Tampa to Los Angeles. While the left seat wins at takeoff with Tampa Bay views, the right seat delivers the more dramatic payoff on arrival with the full Los Angeles Basin panorama, the Santa Monica Mountains, and the downtown skyline during descent. Over the Gulf of Mexico and Texas, the right seat also gets better views of the Texas Hill Country and the Guadalupe Mountains crossing. The right seat edges it overall.
What can I see during takeoff from Tampa International in Tampa?
During takeoff from Tampa International (TPA), sit on the Left side for the best views. TPA typically departs westward on runway 19L/R or northward on 36, then turns northwest toward LAX. A left/south-facing seat captures Tampa Bay, the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, and the sprawling bay system as the aircraft climbs and banks northwest. The right side faces inland toward suburban sprawl with little of interest. Notable sights include: Tampa Bay, Sunshine Skyway Bridge, St. Petersburg peninsula, Hillsborough Bay.
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 on runways 24L/R, meaning the aircraft tracks westward over the Los Angeles Basin before touching down. The right/north-facing seat gets the Santa Monica Mountains, downtown LA skyline, and the Hollywood Hills clearly visible during descent. The left side looks south toward the South Bay and open Pacific. Notable sights include: Downtown Los Angeles skyline, Santa Monica Mountains, Hollywood Hills, Santa Monica Bay.
How long is the flight from Tampa to Los Angeles?
The flight from Tampa International (TPA) to Los Angeles International (LAX) takes Approximately 4 hours 30 minutes to 5 hours.
What does the Tampa to Los Angeles flight path pass over?
The route crosses the Gulf of Mexico briefly near the Florida panhandle, then tracks over Louisiana and Texas. Notable features include the Mississippi River delta visible from altitude near New Orleans, the sprawling Texas Hill Country, the Guadalupe Mountains and Davis Mountains of far west Texas, the Chihuahuan Desert, southern New Mexico, and the Sonoran Desert of Arizona before crossing into California over the Colorado Desert and the Salton Sea.