There's no single correct answer — the best side of the plane depends entirely on your route. The left side of a New York to Los Angeles flight is a completely different view from the left side of a London to Dubai flight. What matters is the geography underneath your specific flight path.
That said, there are principles that apply broadly, and a handful of factors that reliably determine which side wins on any given route.
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Find the best side for my flight →What actually determines which side is better
Geographic features along the flight path
The biggest factor is what's on the ground beneath you. Mountain ranges, coastlines, city skylines, and iconic landmarks are all fixed in place — and whether they fall on your left or right depends on which direction you're flying and your exact routing. A flight from Denver to Chicago crosses the Rockies early in the flight; which side those mountains appear on depends on whether your plane tracks north or south of Denver on departure.
Direction of travel
For flights broadly going east or west across the continental US, the left side faces south and the right side faces north. That means left-side passengers on a westbound flight tend to see more of the sun-baked Southwest, while right-side passengers may see the greener, more overcast northern terrain. Neither is automatically better — it depends on which features you want to see.
Time of day and sun position
The sun's position can make or break a window seat. On a morning westbound flight, the sun rises behind you — both sides are fine. On an afternoon westbound flight, the sun is ahead and low; left-side seats face northwest (less sun), right-side seats face southwest (into the glare). If you want to sleep or avoid squinting for hours, the shaded side is the practical choice regardless of views.
Takeoff vs. landing vs. cruise
The best side for takeoff isn't always the best side for landing — or for the scenic portion in the middle. Airports have specific departure and arrival paths that are often completely different. A flight might bank left after takeoff (giving right-side passengers a ground view) but approach from the north on arrival (giving left-side passengers the city view coming in). Our recommendations account for all three phases separately.
Popular routes: which side tends to be better
New York (JFK) → Los Angeles (LAX)
Left side typically tracks along the southern US, offering views of the Appalachians early on, then the Southwest desert and Grand Canyon area. Right side faces the northern interior — less dramatic terrain.
Full recommendation for JFK → LAX →Los Angeles (LAX) → New York (JFK)
Eastbound, the right (south-facing) side has the Grand Canyon, Painted Desert, and the Rockies. Left side faces the northern interior with less dramatic scenery for most of the flight.
Full recommendation for LAX → JFK →London (LHR) → New York (JFK)
Westbound transatlantic flights track over Ireland, then the southern tip of Greenland, then maritime Canada. The left side tends to face south toward the North Atlantic features; the right side faces north toward the Arctic.
Full recommendation for LHR → JFK →San Francisco (SFO) → Honolulu (HNL)
Both sides cross open Pacific for most of the flight. The departure view of the California coast is on the right; the arrival view of Oahu depends on approach direction. Time of day often determines which side catches the better light.
Full recommendation for SFO → HNL →Tips for getting the best window seat views
Seat position on the plane
Window seats over the wing have a partially obstructed view during landing and takeoff — the flaps and engines block some of the ground. Seats ahead of the wing (closer to the front) or behind the wing (rows behind the trailing edge) give a cleaner sightline. For cruise views, position matters less.
Check the aircraft type
Widebody aircraft (Boeing 777, Airbus A350, A380) have windows in the middle seats on multi-aisle layouts, which can partially obstruct views. Narrow-body aircraft (737, A320) have a single aisle — every window seat is a true window seat.
Use our tool for your exact flight
The examples above cover a handful of well-known routes. For any other flight — including regional routes, international connections, and less-traveled paths — use the tool below to get a recommendation based on your specific departure and arrival airports.
Enter your flight to find out which side of the plane has the best views.
Get my window seat recommendation →Frequently asked questions
Should I sit on the left or right side of the plane?
It depends on your specific route. There is no universally better side — the best seat depends on your flight path, the geographic features along the way (mountains, coastlines, cities), and the direction you're flying. Enter your departure and arrival airports above to get a specific recommendation for your flight.
Which side of the plane has better views on east-west flights?
On east-west flights across the US, the left (south-facing) side often has better views because you pass over landmarks like the Grand Canyon, Rockies, and Southwest desert. But this varies by exact routing — flights along the northern corridor may see more of the Rockies from the right side. Always check your specific route.
Does the left or right side of the plane matter for international flights?
Yes, often more so than domestic flights. Transatlantic routes can offer Greenland icebergs, the fjords of Iceland, or the coast of Ireland — but only from one side. Transpacific routes may pass over Hawaii or the Aleutian Islands. The difference between sides can be dramatic on long-haul international routes.
Does time of day affect which side of the plane is better?
Yes. Sun position is a major factor — sitting on the sunny side means glare and heat against your window for hours. If you want to sleep or avoid squinting, choose the shaded side. If you want golden-hour light on your photos, the side facing the sun at your flight time is better. Our recommendations factor in typical flight times and sun angles.
How do I find out which side has mountain views on my flight?
Enter your departure and arrival airports at WhichSideOfThePlane.com. Our tool analyzes the typical flight path and identifies which side of the plane faces major geographic features — mountain ranges, coastlines, city skylines, and iconic landmarks — for your specific route.
Is the left side or right side better on a flight to Hawaii?
On flights from the US West Coast to Hawaii, the right side often has better views of the California coastline on departure. On approach to Honolulu, the left side typically has views of Diamond Head and Waikiki. Use our tool with your specific origin airport for a detailed recommendation.