LAX to IAD: which side of the plane should you sit on?
Los Angeles (LAX) to Dulles (IAD) is a 3,674 km (2,283 mi), roughly 4h 49m eastbound flight. Here is where the sun sits along that path, computed with the same astronomy as our live calculator.
On most daytime LAX to IAD 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 | Right | Left |
| June solstice | Right | Left | Left |
| September equinox | Right | Right | Left |
| December solstice | Right | Right | Night |
What you’ll see on this flight
Views are fairly even, so this route does not favor one side. Go with the shade side, which is the left.
LAX to IAD is a long eastbound run with a lot to see, but no single side wins the route. Pick your side for shade, then enjoy the landmarks when they line up.
Takeoff
After takeoff from LAX, depending on the runway in use, you may start with the San Fernando Valley on the left. Soon after, Anaheim, Irvine, and Long Beach sit to the right while Oxnard stays left as you climb.
En route
- 23m in← LeftMojave Desert
About 20 minutes in, the Mojave Desert sits on the left. It reads as a broad, pale stretch from cruising height.
- 49m in← LeftGrand Canyon
Around 50 minutes in, the Grand Canyon is off the left side. You get a clear look at its long, steep cut through the landscape.
- 1h 16m in← LeftMesa Verde National Park
About 75 minutes in, Mesa Verde National Park is also on the left. From up here it is a compact, green patch against the surrounding terrain.
- 2h 53m in← LeftKansas City
Roughly three hours in, Kansas City appears on the left. It is one of the bigger city passes on the route.
- 3h 22m inRight →St. Louis
A bit after that, St. Louis comes up on the right. It gives you a clean urban break before the eastern leg.
- 4h 39m inRight →Appalachian Mountains
Near the end of cruise, the Appalachian Mountains are on the right and close under the flight path. They come and go quickly, but they are easy to spot.
Landing
On descent into IAD, depending on the runway in use, Shenandoah National Park sits to the right about five minutes out. Washington, D.C. is also on the right close to landing, so that side stays the better one for the final approach.
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 IAD?
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 IAD flights?
For sunset views, flip the advice: on evening departures the sun sits on the left side of this route, so that is the side with the show.
How long is the flight from LAX to IAD?
The great-circle distance is 3,674 km (2,283 mi), which works out to roughly 4h 49m 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 LAX to IAD?
Sit on the left for shade. Views are close to even, so the route does not strongly favor either side.
What can I see on the LAX to IAD flight?
You can catch the Mojave Desert, the Grand Canyon, Mesa Verde National Park, Kansas City, St. Louis, and the Appalachian Mountains, depending on where you sit.