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SAT → LAX
Which side of the plane to sit from San Antonio International Airport (San Antonio) to Los Angeles International Airport (Los Angeles)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side offers a superior sequence of diverse landmarks, including the high desert mountains of New Mexico, the striking Joshua Tree landscape, and a dramatic descent alongside the San Gabriel Mountains into the Los Angeles basin.
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Downtown San Antonio
Immediate views of the Tower of the Americas and the city center shortly after takeoff from SAT.
White Sands
Distant but visible glistening gypsum dunes of New Mexico appearing as a bright white patch in the desert.
Joshua Tree
The unique rock formations and high desert transition zones of Joshua Tree National Park.
San Gabriel Mountains
Stunning views of Mount San Antonio (Mt. Baldy) which are often snow-capped during winter months.
LA Basin & Hollywood
As the plane descends, view the dense urban grid of Los Angeles and the iconic Hollywood Hills to the north.
The right side is ideal for morning flights as the sun remains behind the aircraft. Look out for the massive open-pit copper mines in Arizona, which appear as giant concentric circles. During the final approach to LAX, the right side usually provides a clearer view of the San Gabriel Mountains and the famous urban sprawl of the San Fernando Valley.
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Permian Basin
Extensive oil fields of West Texas marked by a grid-like pattern of access roads and drill sites.
Guadalupe Mountains
View the rugged peaks of West Texas, including El Capitan and Guadalupe Peak, the highest point in the state.
Sonoran Desert
The vast, saguaro-studded landscapes of Southern Arizona, featuring dramatic sky islands.
Salton Sea
A massive, glimmering saline lake sitting below sea level in the California desert.
Orange County Coast
During the standard approach, catch glimpses of the Newport and Huntington Beach coastlines.
Choose the left side for afternoon flights to avoid the direct glare of the southern sun. On arrival at LAX, if the plane circles over the ocean, the left side provides the best view of the Pacific horizon and the Santa Catalina Island.
Get eSIMs for United States
Get eSIMs for United StatesDistance: 1,945 km (1,209 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 2 hrs 36 min
Departure: SAT (29.533700942993164, -98.46980285644533)
Arrival: LAX (33.94250107, -118.4079971)
Route Type: Domestic
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