Which side of plane for best view while on approach to LAX?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2004
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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.
Any help would be much appreciated.
Thanks.
#2
Moderator: Delta SkyMiles, Luxury Hotels, TravelBuzz! and Italy
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Los Angeles
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Originally Posted by hoyateach
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.
Any help would be much appreciated.
Thanks.
#3
Join Date: May 2003
Location: CHC
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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.
#4
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
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.
But silly me... if you're taking pics then you're probably arriving during the day
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.
#6
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Rochester Hills, MI
Programs: NW, MR SE,
Posts: 385
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
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
Last edited by hyunja; Feb 27, 2006 at 4:39 pm
#8
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Starboard sounds good for a MITTS or CIVET arrival into LAX, landing to the west.
#10
Join Date: Jun 2004
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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.
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.
#11
Join Date: Apr 2004
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Originally Posted by dbuckho
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.
#12
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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.
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.
#13
Moderator: Delta SkyMiles, Luxury Hotels, TravelBuzz! and Italy
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Originally Posted by hoyateach
Thanks, all. My flight is this Wednesday, MSP-LAX. I'll let you know if I get any good views/pictures.
#14
Join Date: Oct 2004
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Originally Posted by hyunja
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.
HJ
These aren't much of attractions, but I thought I'd add them.
HJ
#15
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: MSP, for now
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Posts: 62
Originally Posted by hyunja
...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.