LAX to PHX: which side of the plane should you sit on?
Los Angeles (LAX) to Phoenix (PHX) is a 595 km (370 mi), roughly 1h 12m 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 PHX 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 | Right |
| June solstice | Left | Right | Left |
| September equinox | Right | Right | Right |
| December solstice | Right | Right | Night |
What you’ll see on this flight
Left side wins on both views and shade.
Sit on the left for this LAX to PHX flight. The left side gets the better views, and it is also the shade side.
Takeoff
After takeoff from LAX, depending on the runway in use, the left side can catch the San Fernando Valley early in the climb. The first few minutes stay busy with Southern California cities on both sides, but the left window has the stronger run.
En route
- 11m in← LeftRiverside · passes underneath
About 11 minutes in, Riverside comes up very close on the left, almost under you for a moment.
- 12m in← LeftSan Bernardino
A little later, San Bernardino sits to the left and gives you a clear inland city view while you climb away.
- 13m in← LeftMoreno Valley · passes underneath
Just after that, Moreno Valley is also tight to the left side, with a quick, steep look down from the window.
- 29m inRight →Salton Sea
A few minutes later, the Salton Sea appears on the right as a flat, bright patch of water.
- 31m in← LeftMojave Desert
Around half an hour in, the Mojave Desert stretches out on the left as a wide, pale expanse.
Landing
On descent into PHX, depending on the runway in use, the left side is the better pick for the final city approach. Phoenix comes very close to the left, with Glendale and Scottsdale also lining up on that side, while Chandler and Mesa 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 LAX to PHX?
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 PHX 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 PHX?
The great-circle distance is 595 km (370 mi), which works out to roughly 1h 12m 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 from LAX to PHX?
Sit on the left. It has the better views, and it is also the shade side.
What will I see on the LAX to PHX flight?
Early on you can see the San Fernando Valley, then inland cities like Riverside and San Bernardino, followed by the Mojave Desert and the Salton Sea.