LAX to ICN: which side of the plane should you sit on?
Los Angeles (LAX) to Seoul (ICN) is a 9,625 km (5,981 mi), roughly 11h 49m 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 ICN 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 | Left |
| June solstice | Both | Left | Right |
| September equinox | Left | Left | Left |
| December solstice | Left | Left | Night |
What you’ll see on this flight
Right side for the views, right side for the shade. If you want the easiest pick, sit right.
You get the better views on the right, and that’s also the shade side. So one side wins on both counts.
Takeoff
After departure from LAX, depending on the runway in use, the right side starts well. You can pick out Anaheim, Irvine, and Santa Ana on that side as you climb, while Long Beach and Oxnard sit to the left.
En route
- 11m inRight →Bakersfield
About 10 minutes in, Bakersfield is off the right side as the climb continues.
- 41m inRight →Golden Gate Bridge
Around 40 minutes in, the right side lines up with San Francisco, Oakland, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Alcatraz Island. That’s the big payoff on this route.
- 5h 26m inRight →Mount Okmok
Near the middle of the flight, Mount Okmok comes up on the right. It is a far-off volcano view, not a close pass.
- 5h 34m in← LeftMount Cleveland
A few minutes later, Mount Cleveland sits to the left. It is the one clear left-side highlight in this stretch.
- 9h 52m in← LeftLa Pérouse Strait
Later on, La Pérouse Strait is off the left side. It is a brief coastal water view, so keep your seat-side expectations modest.
Landing
On descent into ICN, depending on the runway in use, the left side takes over near the end. You see the Korean Peninsula, Seoul, Suwon, and Seongnam on that side before Ganghwa Island slips by 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 LAX to ICN?
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 LAX to ICN 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 LAX to ICN?
The great-circle distance is 9,625 km (5,981 mi), which works out to roughly 11h 49m 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 for LAX to ICN?
Sit on the right. The best views are on that side, and the shade is there too.
Do I get any views on the left side?
Yes, but fewer. Most of the route favors the right, with a few left-side moments near Alaska, the far north Pacific, and approach into Seoul.