LAX to BNE: which side of the plane should you sit on?
Los Angeles (LAX) to Brisbane (BNE) is a 11,533 km (7,167 mi), roughly 14h 4m westbound flight. Here is where the sun sits along that path, computed with the same astronomy as our live calculator.
On most daytime LAX to BNE 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 | Left | Right | Right |
| June solstice | Both | Right | Right |
| September equinox | Left | Right | Right |
| December solstice | Left | Both | Night |
What you’ll see on this flight
Views don't pick a side here. Go left if you want the shade side; the scenery is spread out rather than decisive.
This route is mostly about the shade side. Views are split, so your seat choice comes down to sun and glare more than scenery.
Takeoff
After takeoff from LAX, depending on the runway in use, the first few minutes can give you a quick look at the San Fernando Valley on the right. On the left, Anaheim, Irvine, and Long Beach sit low and spread out. The Channel Islands of California can pass almost under you on the left, so the view is brief and steep.
En route
- 8m in← LeftChannel Islands of California · passes underneath
About 8 minutes in, the Channel Islands of California can slide almost under the left side. You get a quick, steep look rather than a long view.
- 9m inRight →Channel Islands National Park
A minute later, Channel Islands National Park sits off the right side. It is a short coastal glimpse, not a wide panorama.
- 6h 39m inRight →Kingman Reef · passes underneath
About 6 and a half hours in, Kingman Reef comes up almost under the right side. It is the kind of pass you notice and then lose fast.
- 8h 34m in← LeftPhoenix Islands
Roughly 8 and a half hours in, the Phoenix Islands appear on the left. They are distant islands, so the view is more a small patch of land than a detailed scene.
- 11h 40m inRight →Ambrym
Near 11 and a half hours in, Ambrym is off the right side. It is a volcanic island, seen from far enough away to read as dark land against the sea.
- 11h 45m in← LeftEfate · passes underneath
Just after that, Efate can pass almost under the left side. It is another quick, close pass, so keep your window shade up.
Landing
On descent into BNE, depending on the runway in use, the left side gets the clearest approach views. Gold Coast is out on the left first, with Lamington National Park also on that side. Brisbane then comes up almost under the left side, so keep watching as you come in.
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 LAX to BNE?
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 LAX to BNE 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 LAX to BNE?
The great-circle distance is 11,533 km (7,167 mi), which works out to roughly 14h 4m 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 LAX to BNE?
The view side is split, so it does not decide the seat. The shade side is left, so that is the better pick if you want less glare.
What will I actually see on this route?
A short look at the Channel Islands near departure, a few island passes over the Pacific, and then left-side approach views into Queensland.