LAX to LAS: which side of the plane should you sit on?
Los Angeles (LAX) to Las Vegas (LAS) is a 380 km (236 mi), roughly 0h 57m 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 LAS 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 | Right | Left |
| September equinox | Right | Right | Left |
| December solstice | Right | Right | Night |
What you’ll see on this flight
The right side has the views, but it also faces the sun. If you fly in daylight, that side can be bright. If your departure skews later, the glare eases a bit as the sun drops.
On this LAX to LAS flight, the right side gets the better views. The left side is the shade side, so it is the safer pick if you want less glare.
Takeoff
Right after takeoff from LAX, depending on the runway in use, you can catch Anaheim and Irvine on the right. San Fernando Valley and Oxnard sit to the left, so the first few minutes already split the cabin.
En route
- 11m inRight →Riverside
About 11 minutes in, Riverside is on the right. It is a clear city block from cruise altitude, easy to trace against the suburbs.
- 12m inRight →Fontana
A minute later, Fontana stays on the right too. You get a quick run of inland city views on that side.
- 14m inRight →San Bernardino
Around 14 minutes in, San Bernardino is still on the right. It comes and goes fast, but it keeps the right-side window busy.
- 29m in← LeftMount Whitney
Near the halfway point, Mount Whitney is off the left. It is far away and not close to overhead, so it reads more as a distant mountain profile than a pass-by.
- 43m inRight →Mojave Desert
By about 43 minutes in, the Mojave Desert is on the right. Expect a broad, pale expanse with very little texture from up high.
Landing
On descent into LAS, depending on the runway in use, the right side gets Hoover Dam before landing. Las Vegas and North Las Vegas sit almost under you on the left, so the final approach is a quick, steep look down that side.
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 LAS?
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 LAS 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 LAS?
The great-circle distance is 380 km (236 mi), which works out to roughly 0h 57m 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 of the plane should I sit on from LAX to LAS?
Sit on the right for the better views. The left side is the shade side.
Will I see Hoover Dam on this flight?
Yes, near landing it is on the right side, depending on the runway in use.