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BNE destination photo
LAX destination photo

BNELAX

Our Recommendation
8.5

Left Side of the Plane

The left side provides the most iconic views of the Southern California coastline, including the Santa Monica Mountains and the Getty Center, during the final approach into LAX.

Left Side Highlights
8.5
🌊

Moreton Bay

Stunning aerial views of the turquoise waters and sand banks around Bribie and Moreton Islands shortly after takeoff from Brisbane.

☁️

International Date Line

While invisible, crossing this meridian marks the transition into the previous day, usually accompanied by vast, starry night skies.

⛰️

Santa Cruz Island

The largest of the Channel Islands, featuring rugged sea caves and deep valleys as you approach the California coast.

🏖️

Malibu & Santa Monica

A breathtaking view of the curved coastline and the Santa Monica Pier as the aircraft aligns for its final descent.

🏛️

The Getty Center

Spot the distinctive white architecture of the museum perched atop the Santa Monica Mountains just before landing.

Choose a window seat on the left for a morning arrival into LAX; the sun will be behind you or overhead, providing perfect lighting for photos of the California coastline. This side is superior for seeing the Hollywood sign and the Santa Monica Mountains during the standard arrival procedure.

Right Side Highlights
7.2
🏙️

Gold Coast Skyline

If the flight departs towards the south, you will get a distant view of the Surfers Paradise skyscrapers and sandy beaches.

🏝️

Pacific Atolls

Depending on the specific flight corridor, you may spot remote islands of the Kiribati or French Polynesia groups.

⛰️

Catalina Island

Views of the mountainous landscape and the harbor of Avalon as the plane enters the Los Angeles basin.

🏘️

Palos Verdes Peninsula

Dramatic ocean cliffs and expensive real estate on the southern edge of the Los Angeles coastline.

🛳️

Port of Los Angeles

The massive scale of one of the world's busiest ports, including the Vincent Thomas Bridge and the Queen Mary in Long Beach.

The right side is ideal for views of the Gold Coast if the flight path tracks south initially. On arrival, it offers a great perspective of the industrial and maritime infrastructure of the San Pedro Bay. Note that morning glare can be stronger on this side when approaching the US coast.

Top Activities in Los Angeles
Route Information

Distance: 11,533 km (7,166 miles)

Approximate Flight Time: 13 hrs 34 min

Departure: BNE (-27.38419914245605, 153.11700439453125)

Arrival: LAX (33.94250107, -118.4079971)

Route Type: International

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