The Official LAX Planespotting Guide

Best Spotting Locations

Clutters Park/ Imperial Hill

Best for viewing south runway take offs and ground operations

Located in El Segundo, this spot offers a panoramic, elevated view directly overlooking the south complex runways (25R/7L). Excellent lighting for sunset spotting.

In-N-Out Burger

Best for having a plane fly directly over your head

The iconic location where planes pass directly overhead before touching down on the north runways (24L/R). Great for close up photography and video with burgers next door.

Dockweiler Beach

Best for having planes fly above you on final approach during reverse operations

Standard flow allows views of plane departures over the Pacific Ocean. Sand, sea and spotting!

Proud Bird Food Hall

Best for South Runway landing views & dining

An aviation-themed food hall offering fantastic views of final approach to the south runways (25R/7L). Great historical aircraft displays and a patio for spotting while you eat.

Westchester Bridge

Best for elevated North Runway Views

The road bridge on Westchester Parkway offers excellent, elevated views of planes on final approach to the north runways (24L/R). See the tires smoke on the landings.

LAX Happy Hour

(The Rooftop Stream)

Best for digital, unobstructed spotting

Our private rooftop provides clear, high-definition views of the south runways (25L/R) for our channel. Check out some of our shorts today.

Live stream coming soon!

West Flow (The Standard)

East Flow (The Reverse)

Frequency: Most common operational flow (approx. 95% of the time).

Runways Used: 24L/R (North Complex) and 25L/R (South Complex). Takeoffs/Landings proceed West, over the ocean.

Best for seeing Landings from the East (e.g., Imperial Hill, In-N-Out) and Westward Takeoffs (Westchester Bridge).

Trigger: Activated primarily due to storms and strong Santa Ana winds blowing from the East.

Runways Used: 6L/R (North Complex) and 7L/R (South Complex). Takeoffs/Landings proceed East, over the city.

Best for seeing Landings from the West (e.g., Dockweiler Beach) and Takeoffs heading East (e.g., Imperial Hill, In-N-Out).

LAX operates with two primary flow configurations, which dictate the direction planes take off and land. Knowing the flow is crucial for choosing your spotting location.

Understanding LAX Operations - The Flow