Which side of plane for best view while on approach to LAX?
 

I'm flying into LAX for the first time in about 6 weeks and I'd love to get some photos either of the airport or, weather permitting, LA in the distance from my window on approach. I'm flying in from either MSP or DTW. Which side of the plane (A or F seat) generally affords the best view coming in? I don't know what the wind situation is like there so I don't know if planes tend to land more from one direction than other.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks.

I really don't think it makes much difference. If the weather is clear the view should be equally nice on either side of the aircraft. Definitely get a window seat.

If you are landing towards the ocean, which the majority of flights do, then if on the right hand side, smog permitting (more so than weather permitting) you will see the downtown L.A. high rises and the Hollywood Hills and perhaps the Hollywood sign. On the left side you would see the Long Beach harbor area together with the Queen Mary and the Palos Verdes Peninsula. If you are lucky enough, your flight may make an approach inland from the ocean then make a 180 deg. turn just past downtown, in which case you would see both.

It also depends on time of day. Late at night, I think all arriving flights do their approach from the ocean (noise abatement).

But silly me... if you're taking pics then you're probably arriving during the day :D

Just like chchkiwi said... right for downtown, left for ocean/harbor.

NOTE: Check the weather report to see if the Santa Ana winds are kicking up... if so, then they reverse it.

Right side (starbord). Landings from the ocean are very rare IMO.

Air quality is a huge factor wrt view. Some days you won't be able to see much.

Views of LA
 

As you fly over the San Bernadino mountains, you should be able to see the Big Bear ski area (not much compared to other major ski areas in the Rockies) and Catalina Island from the left side. Once you are over, you should be able to see the Ontario Motor Speedway and Mount Wilson radio and TV towers on the right side, in addition to the others already mentioned. Most of the flights I've taken landed on runway 24R, so you will be flying close to the Hollywood Park race track and Inglewood Forum and over the hamburger place, In & Out, just before touchdown and can see it from the right side.
These aren't much of attractions, but I thought I'd add them. Most of these should be visible regardless of the weather except for the ski area, Mt. Wilson and Catalina Island. The others should be visible since you will already be under the cloud cover or close enough to the ground. This time of the year is the rainy season so take that into consideration and check the weather.

HJ

The right side is much better for sightseeing on an East-West approach.

Starboard sounds good for a MITTS or CIVET arrival into LAX, landing to the west.

Thanks, all. My flight is this Wednesday, MSP-LAX. I'll let you know if I get any good views/pictures.

Also, you should be able to catch the Las Vegas strip on the right side about 45-50 minutes from landing. Right side is definitely better 99% of the time arriving into LAX.

Only real advantage of the left side flying to LA (or right side flying back east) is on southern routing the best views of the Grand Canyon are usually south of the flight path. But from MSP I doubt you will be coming in that way.

Depends on the flight plan. Sitting on the south side MSP-LAX I have seen the canyon on some flights, not on others. The other interesting side from that side of the plane is Palm Springs and the valley out to the Salton Sea. For strictly LA views, the north side is defintely better.

I've never really understood how people can take pictures when electronic devices must be turned off under 10,000 feet. ;)

This might be a personal thing, but I've always preferred the "A" side when flying into LAX for a glimpse of Las Vegas on descent.

Flew MSP-LAX last night. Was on the left side and the view of Los Angeles was pretty darn spectacular. Of course, the weather was crystal clear so that helped. Enjoy your flight.

I don't know the LA area that well, but I've always recognized the Hollywood Park when I've landed at LAX. I think all my flights (about 5) I've taken into LAX have landed there except for my one NRT-LAX flight.

FWIW, it's the California Speedway. Both Ontario and Riverside were shut down and re-developed in the 80's.