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BLI → LAX
Which side of the plane to sit from Bellingham International Airport (Bellingham) to Los Angeles International Airport (Los Angeles)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers a front-row seat to the 'Volcano Alley' of the Pacific Northwest and Northern California, providing dramatic close-ups of the most famous peaks in the United States.
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Mount Baker
Immediately after takeoff from BLI, this massive ice-covered volcano dominates the horizon to the east.
Cascades Sequence
A rapid succession of giants including Mount Rainier, Mount St. Helens, Mount Adams, and Mount Hood.
Mount Shasta
A singular, towering 14,000-foot stratovolcano that rises dramatically from the Northern California landscape.
Central Valley & Sierras
Views of California's agricultural heartland with the snow-capped Sierra Nevada range visible in the far distance.
San Fernando Valley
As the plane begins its descent, you get a sprawling view of the northern Los Angeles residential basin.
Sit on the left for morning departures to see the peaks illuminated by the rising sun. In winter, the snow-covered Cascades are particularly spectacular. This side is consistently more scenic for mountain enthusiasts as the flight path typically stays east of the coastline.
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Salish Sea
Beautiful views of the San Juan Islands and the intricate waterways of the Puget Sound shortly after departure.
Olympic Mountains
The rugged, rain-forested peaks of the Olympic Peninsula are visible across the water to the west.
San Francisco Bay
On clear days, if the flight path is far enough west, you can spot the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay Area.
Channel Islands
Rugged islands like Anacapa and Santa Cruz are visible off the coast of Santa Barbara during the descent.
Malibu & Santa Monica
The final approach often follows the coastline, offering views of the iconic piers and Southern California beaches.
The right side is the premier choice for sunset flights, as the sun sets over the Pacific Ocean. It also provides better views of the coastline on the final approach into LAX, including the potential to see the Santa Monica Pier if the arrival path comes in from the northwest.
Book Hotels in Los AngelesDistance: 1,686 km (1,048 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 2 hrs 15 min
Departure: BLI (48.79280090332031, -122.53800201416016)
Arrival: LAX (33.94250107, -118.4079971)
Route Type: Domestic
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