Where2Travel

Apologies, if this is a silly question but does anyone know if planes always land into Las Vegas from the same direction?

I am picking my seats for a flight into Las Vegas and am wondering if I'll get a nice view of the Strip if I pick one side of the plane over the other?

mamajo

It all depends on the wind direction.

Gardyloo

Probably the left side as either (a) if you're landing to the north, the strip will be off to the left anyway, or (b) if you're landing to the south the plane will do its "downwind" leg (losing altitude so it can line up for the runway) by flying north to the east of the city, in which case the strip and downtown will be off to your left then, too, but from higher up.

jlm_mi

When we sat and wathced planes land last year, they were coming in from the east, heading west when they landed. They may also have n-s runways, but they're definitely not the only ones.

But no, I don't think you can necessarily plan since direction does change.

dwooddon

As others have said, runway use changes with wind direction, however, your best bet would be to sit on the right side. McCarren Airport uses runway 25 (landing to the west) a major portion of the time. Most aircraft are either coming from the east or are routed to the east and then turn back toward the airport. That way, you'll have a view of the strip as you arrive.

When Rwy 25 is not being used, Rwy 19 (landing to the south) is almost always the other choice. Landing on that Rwy, you will have a longer and closer view of the strip sitting on the right side.

On departure, sitting on the right side will also give you a view of the strip whenever Rwy 25 is in use and if they are using Rwy 19, neither side will get a view of the strip except from altitude.

Gardyloo

Fair enough on 25L/R and I'll stand corrected; however last weekend we used 1L (10º) on landing and 1R on departure.

vegasnative

It does depend on the wind, and it can get really windy here in Vegas. However, I have lived here my entire life and obviously then have flown in/out many times. When sitting on the plane if you are on the right side (it would be the left when walking in down the aisle) is usually the better side to sit on in my opinion. The majority of the time the planes come in from the East, and so you will see the Strip from the right side of the plane. If you are on the left side (and plane is coming in from East) you will see Wayne Newtons house (if that is something of interest), both sides have good views of Lake Mead as you fly directly over it. Also when leaving Vegas sit on right side because the plane takes off to the west (if weather is normal) and the Strip will be out of the right hand side of the plane. A few times sitting on the left side when leaving Vegas we have seen the Grand Canyon pretty good.
So if looking for a Strip view I say pick the right hand side of the aircraft as if you were sitting in the seat facing the cockpit!!