Vienna to Los Angeles is 6,123 miles (9,854 km), a flight of about 11 hours 45 minutes.
While Vienna's Alpine departure favors the left, the long transatlantic great-circle route curves north over Greenland's ice sheet and Canadian Arctic terrain, features generally visible from the right side, followed by a mountainous approach into LAX that also favors the right. This gives the right side more variety and drama across the full flight.
Flight Path
Southern tip of Greenland's ice sheet, Labrador Sea, Hudson Bay coastline, and the forested tundra of northern Quebec/Canada along the great-circle path
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from VIE
LEFTClimbing out of Vienna, the aircraft typically turns toward the west, putting the Austrian Alps and the Vienna Woods on the left side of the cabin, with the Danube River winding through the city below. The right side mostly shows the flatter Pannonian plain toward Slovakia, which is far less dramatic.
Landing at LAX
RIGHTOn the descent into LAX in the standard west-flow pattern, arriving from the east/northeast, the aircraft crosses the San Gabriel Mountains and the San Fernando Valley before turning south toward the coast. The right side offers views of these mountains and the Los Angeles basin, while the left side mostly faces open desert and later hazy inland valleys.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Schwechat (VIE) to Los Angeles International (LAX)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Vienna to Los Angeles. While Vienna's Alpine departure favors the left, the long transatlantic great-circle route curves north over Greenland's ice sheet and Canadian Arctic terrain, features generally visible from the right side, followed by a mountainous approach into LAX that also favors the right. This gives the right side more variety and drama across the full flight.
What can I see during takeoff from Schwechat in Vienna?
During takeoff from Schwechat (VIE), sit on the Left side for the best views. Climbing out of Vienna, the aircraft typically turns toward the west, putting the Austrian Alps and the Vienna Woods on the left side of the cabin, with the Danube River winding through the city below. The right side mostly shows the flatter Pannonian plain toward Slovakia, which is far less dramatic. Notable sights include: Vienna Woods, Danube River and Vienna's Old Town, foothills of the Austrian Alps, Neusiedler See 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. On the descent into LAX in the standard west-flow pattern, arriving from the east/northeast, the aircraft crosses the San Gabriel Mountains and the San Fernando Valley before turning south toward the coast. The right side offers views of these mountains and the Los Angeles basin, while the left side mostly faces open desert and later hazy inland valleys. Notable sights include: San Gabriel Mountains, San Fernando Valley, downtown Los Angeles skyline, Pacific coastline near Santa Monica Bay.
How long is the flight from Vienna to Los Angeles?
The flight from Schwechat (VIE) to Los Angeles International (LAX) takes about 11 hours 45 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 6,123 miles (9,854 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Vienna to Los Angeles flight path pass over?
Southern tip of Greenland's ice sheet, Labrador Sea, Hudson Bay coastline, and the forested tundra of northern Quebec/Canada along the great-circle path