BOS to LAX: which side of the plane should you sit on?
Boston (BOS) to Los Angeles (LAX) is a 4,193 km (2,605 mi), roughly 5h 26m westbound flight. Here is where the sun sits along that path, computed with the same astronomy as our live calculator.
On most daytime BOS 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 | Left | Left | Both |
| June solstice | Left | Left | Right |
| September equinox | Left | Left | Both |
| December solstice | Left | Left | Night |
What you’ll see on this flight
The right side wins on both views and shade.
Sit on the right. That side gets the shade and the stronger views on this westbound flight from BOS to LAX. You start over water and the Boston area, then the route turns into a long run of city pairs, lakes, and a few big-name landmarks before Los Angeles.
Takeoff
On departure from BOS, depending on the runway in use, the first good look is on the right: Massachusetts Bay sits there as you climb out. Very early on, Boston and Worcester pass almost under you on the left, so they are brief and steep. A few minutes later, Lake Chaubunagungamaug and the Catskill Mountains stay to the left.
En route
- 45m inRight →Lake Ontario
About 45 minutes in, Lake Ontario comes into view on the right as a broad blue sheet.
- 51m inRight →Niagara Falls
A minute later, Niagara Falls is also on the right. It stays off to that side, not straight below you.
- 4h 11m in← LeftMesa Verde National Park
Near four and a half hours in, Mesa Verde National Park is on the left. It is a small, distant patch of high ground from cruise altitude.
- 4h 38m in← LeftGrand Canyon
Around 4 hours 40 minutes in, the Grand Canyon is left of the aircraft. You get the rim-and-cut shape rather than a close pass.
- 4h 55m inRight →Hoover Dam
Just before the last half hour, Hoover Dam is on the right. It is a tiny man-made line in the landscape, then it slips behind you.
- 4h 57m inRight →Las Vegas
A couple of minutes after that, Las Vegas sits on the right as the flight continues west.
Landing
On descent into LAX, depending on the runway in use, the right side keeps the better read. San Fernando Valley is on that side as you come down. On the left, Anaheim, Irvine, and Long Beach slide by in the final minutes, with Oxnard on the right near touchdown.
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 BOS 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 BOS 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 BOS to LAX?
The great-circle distance is 4,193 km (2,605 mi), which works out to roughly 5h 26m in the air on this westbound 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 from BOS to LAX?
Pick the right side. It has the stronger views and the shade on this flight.
What can I see after takeoff from Boston?
Depending on the runway in use, you first get Massachusetts Bay on the right. Boston and Worcester are almost under you on the left, so they pass quickly.