AKL to LAX: which side of the plane should you sit on?
Auckland (AKL) to Los Angeles (LAX) is a 10,487 km (6,516 mi), roughly 12h 50m eastbound flight. Here is where the sun sits along that path, computed with the same astronomy as our live calculator.
On most daytime AKL to LAX departures the sun favors the left side — sit on the right (a window on the right) for shade.
Sun side by season and departure time
| Season | Morning (8 am) | Midday (1 pm) | Evening (6 pm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| March equinox | Both | Left | Right |
| June solstice | Left | Left | Right |
| September equinox | Left | Left | Right |
| December solstice | Both | Left | Both |
What you’ll see on this flight
The left side gives you the better views, but it is also the sunny side. If you want the clearest look outside, go left; if you want less glare, go right.
Sit left for the best views. That also puts the sun on your side, so you get the scenery and the glare. With a daytime crossing, the tradeoff is real: choose left for the route highlights, right for shade.
Takeoff
On departure from AKL, the left side gets the first look at Auckland and, a moment later, Rangitoto Island passes almost under you on the left. Depending on the runway in use, Coromandel Peninsula is out on the right a few minutes after liftoff, but it is not the main show.
En route
- 12h 42m in← LeftChannel Islands National Park
About 12 hours in, the Channel Islands National Park comes into view on the left. It is a late descent highlight, so keep your window clear then.
- 12h 42m in← LeftChannel Islands of California
At nearly the same point, the Channel Islands of California sit low on the left side too. You see the island chain late, not for long.
Landing
On arrival into LAX, the left side gets San Fernando Valley as you come down. Depending on the runway in use, the right side may also catch Long Beach, Anaheim, and Irvine, while Oxnard sits off to the left near the end.
Sides and timings are computed from this route’s geometry. What you actually see depends on weather, air-traffic routing, and the runway in use on the day.
Frequently asked
Which side of the plane avoids the sun from AKL to LAX?
Across typical daytime departures, the sun predominantly hits the left side of the aircraft, so the right side stays shadier. Seat letters start at the left window, so choose the highest window letter (F on narrowbodies, K on many widebodies).
Which side has the sunset views on AKL to LAX flights?
For sunset views, flip the advice: on evening departures the sun sits on the right side of this route, so that is the side with the show.
How long is the flight from AKL to LAX?
The great-circle distance is 10,487 km (6,516 mi), which works out to roughly 12h 50m in the air on this eastbound routing. Winds and routing move the real block time around that estimate.
Does the date or departure time change the answer?
Yes — that is why the table shows both. The sun's path shifts with the season, and a morning departure can put the glare on the opposite side compared to an evening one. For a specific flight, the calculator samples the sun along the whole route for your exact date and time.
Which side should I sit on for AKL to LAX?
Sit on the left for the best views. That side also gets the sun, so expect some glare.
What do you see near Los Angeles on this flight?
Late in descent, the left side gets San Fernando Valley. The right side may also see Long Beach, Anaheim, and Irvine.