LAX to SLC: which side of the plane should you sit on?
Los Angeles (LAX) to Salt Lake City (SLC) is a 949 km (590 mi), roughly 1h 37m northbound flight. Here is where the sun sits along that path, computed with the same astronomy as our live calculator.
On most daytime LAX to SLC 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 | Both | Left |
| December solstice | Right | Right | Night |
What you’ll see on this flight
Views are spread across both sides, so they do not settle the choice. Pick the left side for shade.
You get views on both sides, so the seat choice comes down to shade. On this northbound hop, the left side is the shaded side.
Takeoff
After takeoff from LAX, depending on the runway in use, the first views split quickly: the San Fernando Valley is on the left, while Long Beach, Anaheim, and Irvine sit off the right side as you climb. Oxnard also appears on the left early on.
En route
- 25m in← LeftMount Whitney
About 25 minutes in, Mount Whitney is off the left side. It stands out as a single high peak, not a wide range.
- 32m in← LeftDeath Valley
Around 32 minutes in, Death Valley stays to the left. It reads as a broad, dry basin from cruise height.
- 38m inRight →Las Vegas
About 38 minutes in, Las Vegas is on the right. You see the city as a bright, compact grid.
- 39m inRight →Hoover Dam
Right after that, Hoover Dam is also on the right. It is a small, hard-edged feature, easy to miss if you blink.
- 1h 09m in← LeftGreat Basin National Park
Near 69 minutes in, Great Basin National Park and the Great Basin Desert are on the left. This stretch feels wide and empty rather than busy.
Landing
On descent into SLC, depending on the runway in use, the Great Salt Lake comes in on the left about 97 minutes into the flight. It is the last clear landmark before you land.
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 SLC?
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 SLC 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 SLC?
The great-circle distance is 949 km (590 mi), which works out to roughly 1h 37m in the air on this northbound 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 has the best views from LAX to SLC?
Views are fairly even on this route. The left side is the shaded side, so that is the better pick.
What landmarks can I see on the LAX to SLC flight?
You pass the San Fernando Valley, Mount Whitney, Death Valley, Las Vegas, Hoover Dam, and Great Basin National Park. The Great Salt Lake appears on arrival.