LAX to YVR: which side of the plane should you sit on?
Los Angeles (LAX) to Vancouver (YVR) is a 1,741 km (1,082 mi), roughly 2h 33m 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 YVR 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 | Right | Left | Left |
| June solstice | Right | Left | Left |
| September equinox | Right | Left | Left |
| December solstice | Right | Left | Night |
What you’ll see on this flight
Left side wins for views, but it also gets the sun. Sit left if you want the better scenery and do not mind the glare; sit right if shade matters more.
You want the left side for the views. It also gets the sun, so expect some glare. If you sit right, you get shade instead of the scenery.
Takeoff
After takeoff, the left side starts with the San Fernando Valley about 3 minutes in. On the right, Long Beach, Anaheim, and Irvine sit off to that side during the climb, depending on the runway in use. Oxnard comes up on the left a few minutes later.
En route
- 25m inRight →Mount Whitney
About 25 minutes in, Mount Whitney is on the right. It is a sharp, high peak, and it sits close enough to stand out clearly from cruise altitude.
- 38m in← LeftSierra Nevada
Around 38 minutes in, the Sierra Nevada runs along the left. You see a long mountain line, not a single peak, stretching through the window.
- 38m in← LeftYosemite Falls
At about the same time, Yosemite Falls is also on the left. It is a brief, steep look rather than a long pass, since it comes nearly under the aircraft.
- 52m in← LeftLake Tahoe
Near 52 minutes in, Lake Tahoe is on the left. The water stands out as a broad, bright shape against the land around it.
- 2h 09m inRight →Mount Rainier
On descent, Mount Rainier is on the right around 129 minutes in. It is another strong landmark, and it comes into view with the Cascade Range on that same side.
Landing
As you come in, the right side gets the Strait of Georgia nearly underneath the aircraft, depending on the runway in use. Vancouver follows on the right too, and it passes almost under you at the end. The Gulf Islands National Park Reserve stays to the left on 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 YVR?
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 YVR 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 YVR?
The great-circle distance is 1,741 km (1,082 mi), which works out to roughly 2h 33m 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 views from LAX to YVR?
The left side has the better views on this route. It also gets the sun, so the right side is the calmer pick if you want shade.
What can I see near landing into Vancouver from LAX?
Near landing, the right side gets the Strait of Georgia and Vancouver. Both are close and steep in the window, so they pass by quickly.