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LAX → ABQ
Which side of the plane to sit from Los Angeles International Airport (Los Angeles) to Albuquerque International Sunport (Albuquerque)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side of the aircraft offers spectacular views of the San Bernardino Mountains, the high desert landscapes of the Mojave, and the iconic San Francisco Peaks near Flagstaff.
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San Bernardino Mountains
Towering peaks including Mt. San Antonio and the San Gorgonio Wilderness shortly after takeoff.
Joshua Tree National Park
Aerial views of the unique rock formations and dense Joshua Tree forests from the north.
Mojave National Preserve
A vast expanse of desert wilderness featuring cinder cones, sand dunes, and rugged mountain ranges.
San Francisco Peaks
The highest mountains in Arizona, often snow-capped, located just north of Flagstaff.
Mount Taylor
A prominent stratovolcano in western New Mexico that dominates the landscape before the descent into Albuquerque.
Choose the left side for morning flights to avoid the direct southern sun. Look north over Arizona; on clear days, you can sometimes see the distant rim of the Grand Canyon. As you approach ABQ, this side provides the best view of the volcanic fields in western New Mexico.
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Inland Empire Sprawl
The vast residential and industrial landscape of Southern California stretching toward the mountains.
Colorado River
The winding blue ribbon of the river near Lake Havasu, marking the border between California and Arizona.
Mogollon Rim
The massive topographical drop-off that defines the southern edge of the Colorado Plateau.
Valles Caldera
The distant southern reaches of the Jemez Mountains and high desert mesas.
Rio Grande Valley
The lush green corridor of the Rio Grande cutting through the New Mexico desert during final approach.
The right side is ideal for late afternoon flights to witness the sunset reflecting off the desert floor. During the landing phase at ABQ, the right side often provides an excellent perspective of the Albuquerque city center and the southern Sandia foothills.
Book Hotels in AlbuquerqueDistance: 1,088 km (676 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 27 min
Departure: LAX (33.94250107, -118.4079971)
Arrival: ABQ (35.040199, -106.609001)
Route Type: Domestic
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