HKG to LAX: which side of the plane should you sit on?
Hong Kong (HKG) to Los Angeles (LAX) is a 11,664 km (7,248 mi), roughly 14h 13m northbound flight. Here is where the sun sits along that path, computed with the same astronomy as our live calculator.
On most daytime HKG to LAX departures the sun favors the right side — sit on the left (an A seat) for shade.
Sun side by season and departure time
| Season | Morning (8 am) | Midday (1 pm) | Evening (6 pm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| March equinox | Right | Left | Right |
| June solstice | Left | Left | Left |
| September equinox | Right | Left | Right |
| December solstice | Right | Right | Right |
What you’ll see on this flight
The left side wins on both views and shade.
Choose the left side. It has the better views, and it is the shade side too. You get city departures, Japan on cruise, and a strong finish into Southern California.
Takeoff
On departure, sit left. Depending on the runway in use, Macau, Dongguan, and Zhuhai sit off that side during the climb. Hong Kong and Hong Kong Island stay to the right.
En route
- 51m in← LeftWuyi Mountains
About 50 minutes in, the Wuyi Mountains stay on the left. You get a long mountain band, not a quick flash.
- 2h 27m inRight →Tsushima Island
Around two and a half hours in, Tsushima Island is off the right side. It is a brief island view across the water.
- 3h 53m inRight →Shirakami-Sanchi
A little under four hours in, Shirakami-Sanchi comes up on the right. It passes close to the aircraft, so the view is short and steep.
- 4h 10m in← LeftSapporo
About four hours in, Sapporo sits off the left side. You see the city from a distance, not straight below.
- 5h 20m in← LeftKuril Islands
Later in the long cruise, the Kuril Islands stay to the left. This is more remote island chain than close-up detail.
- 13h 32m in← LeftGolden Gate Bridge
Near the end, the Golden Gate Bridge appears on the left, followed by San Francisco and the East Bay. It is the clearest city approach of the flight.
Landing
On descent, keep to the left. Depending on the runway in use, Anaheim, Irvine, and Santa Ana are on that side as you come in. Long Beach and Oxnard sit to the right.
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 HKG to LAX?
Across typical daytime departures, the sun predominantly hits the right side of the aircraft, so the left side stays shadier. Seat letters start at the left window, so choose an A seat.
Which side has the sunset views on HKG to LAX flights?
For sunrise or sunset views, sit on the side the table marks as the sun side for your departure time — that is where the light is.
How long is the flight from HKG to LAX?
The great-circle distance is 11,664 km (7,248 mi), which works out to roughly 14h 13m in the air on this northbound 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 of the plane should I sit on from HKG to LAX?
Sit on the left. It is the views side and the shade side on this route.
What can I see on the HKG to LAX flight?
You get city and mountain views out of Hong Kong, then Japan on cruise, then a strong California approach with the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, and nearby cities on the left.