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BWI → LAX
Which side of the plane to sit from Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (Baltimore) to Los Angeles International Airport (Los Angeles)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers a more consistent view of iconic landmarks like the Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, and the dramatic red rock formations of the Southwest during the final descent.
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Appalachian Mountains
Rolling green ridges and dense forests of West Virginia visible shortly after reaching cruising altitude.
Mississippi River
The massive waterway marking the transition from the eastern forests to the Great Plains.
San Juan Mountains
Rugged, snow-capped peaks of the Southern Rockies providing dramatic elevation changes in Colorado.
Grand Canyon
The premier highlight of the route, offering deep chasm views roughly 50 minutes before landing.
Lake Mead & Hoover Dam
Vibrant blue water of the reservoir contrasting against the stark desert landscape near the Nevada border.
Inland Empire
The vast suburban sprawl and logistics hubs of San Bernardino as you enter the LA Basin.
Choose the left side for afternoon flights to avoid the harshest direct sun, though you will get spectacular sunset views over the wing. The Grand Canyon usually appears 45-60 minutes before arrival at LAX. If your flight path is southerly, you may also catch the Gateway Arch in St. Louis depending on the altitude and weather clarity.
Get eSIMs for United States
Get eSIMs for United StatesChicago & Lake Michigan
On northern-biased routes, catch distant views of the skyline and the massive blue expanse of the lake.
Front Range Rockies
The sudden and dramatic rise of the Rocky Mountains from the flat Colorado plains near Denver.
Canyonlands & Arches
Intricate red rock patterns and river-carved valleys of eastern Utah's high desert.
Las Vegas Strip
The concentrated cluster of mega-resorts and neon visible just before crossing into California.
Mojave National Preserve
High desert scenery featuring ancient volcanic cones and vast Joshua tree forests.
San Gabriel Mountains
The towering mountain wall that frames the northern edge of the Los Angeles metropolitan area.
The right side is ideal for morning flights to avoid the sun's glare. It provides a better perspective of the Front Range of the Rockies and the 'High Desert' scenery. During the final approach to LAX from the east, the right side often provides views of the Hollywood Sign and the Griffith Observatory if the plane performs a wide northern loop over the San Fernando Valley.
Book Hotels in Los AngelesDistance: 3,740 km (2,324 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 4 hrs 24 min
Departure: BWI (39.1754, -76.668297)
Arrival: LAX (33.94250107, -118.4079971)
Route Type: Domestic
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