From which directions to planes usually land and take off at LAX? (Los Angeles: appointed, home)

[Jericho-79]

I'm traveling to the Los Angeles area for the first time in my life this December. I'll be flying American Airlines from DFW straight to LAX.

From which directions do planes usually land and take off at LAX?

I really want to get a good glimpse of the Hollywood sign and all the beaches during the plane's approach to the airport and/or during the plane's take-off from the airport.

Do you think I'll be able to spot these sights as my flight descends/takes off? If so, which side of the plane should I be seated in?

[Alley01]

You can't tell that well because of the weather. Different runways are utilized for different conditions and nothing is close to 100% especially at LAX. You can look at historic data but with fog/smog there is a good chance that you wouldn't see the sign regardless. You can always ask the flight attendant when you get on the plane and they will check with the pilots and could possibly switch your seat (assuming the plane is not full) so that you could see the sign. But, planning for it in advance does not make any sense. Don't be disappointed if you don't get the chance. I have flown into LAX several times (I prefer Orange County now) and have never seen the Hollywood Sign from the plane. But, have when driving around the area.

[EscapeCalifornia]

All the runways run parallel to each other, perpendicular to the coast. That's because the prevailing winds come from the ocean and planes like to take off into the wind. Approach is over usually down the 105 freeway. You might get to see the sign from the right side of the plane. Take off is over the water and will then probably turn left and climb over water before turning back over land south of the airport. The exception would be if the Santa Ana winds are blowing which reverses the wind pattens. OC reverses the takeoff & landing paths so I'm assuming LAX does the same.

[SandyCo]

Airplanes usually land straight in when coming from the east, as you will be. The only exception is if it's late at night (1:00 a.m., for example), because of the noise abatement rules. Then you'll be going out over the ocean; just as you start wondering if you're diverting to Hawaii the airplane will make a tight turn and you'd swear the airplane is going to touch the waves before you land. I've only had this experience once; it was very interesting!

I've never been able to see the Hollywood sign when either taking off or landing at LAX, and I've also never taken off in any direction except over the ocean.

Be sure to go to Griffith Park Observatory while you're here; it provides a great view of both the Hollywood sign and downtown L.A.!

[Count David]

You'll only see the Hollywood sign if it's one of those rare clear days (I never noticed it on my flights in/out of LAX). And yes, you would need to sit on the right side of the plane.

What you'll likely see first is the San Bernardino/San Gabriel mountains hidden behind some smog, then tons of sprawl, downtown LA, and then you will land.

[paladinking]

Los Angeles is a beautiful city

[LASam]

Should be pretty clear in December. Sit on the right side of the plane and enjoy the show. The only reason you would land in the other direction would be if the Santa Ana winds kick up.

[Charles]

Another reason to sit on the right (starboard) side is a flight from east to west (Dallas to LA) in winter will have the sun at a low angle from the south so there would be a lot of glare on the left (port) side of the plane and the sun will illuminate the view to the north (view side from the right side of the plane).

[Santa's Neighbor]

The Hollywood sign will be really far away- you might see if it the weather is clear, but it will be tiny and you'd really need to know where to look. The Hollywood sign is smaller than a large airplane (I think- could be longer but not as bulky?), and from where I used to live (between the airport and the Hollywood sign but closer to the sign) I could see planes on final approach, but they were tiny! If it wasn't for their landing lights I probably wouldn't have seen them, but on the other hand the sign is white on green hills and is easier to pick out. Look for a white dot. :-)

You might not even see the beaches on landing as they'll be in front of you if the planes are on their normal path, but on takeoff when you leave you'll almost certainly get a view of them, the planes are not very high at all when they head over the beach, and then they circle around (and I'd put my money on a left turn at that point) and head back over land.

[LALove24]

Yeah I try to see what I can every time I fly home from TCU. Sit on the right side and look out, you'll see some great views.