Boston to Los Angeles: what the BOS to LAX corridor looks like
- Departure
- Boston Logan International Airport, Boston, the United States
- Arrival
- Los Angeles International Airport, Los Angeles, the United States
- Great-circle distance
- 4,193 km (2,264 nm)
- Typical airborne time
- 5h 23m
- Usual cruise levels
- FL340 to FL400
- Initial track
- westbound
Route overview
The BOS to LAX sector connects Boston Logan International Airport in Boston, the United States, with Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles, the United States. Measured along the great circle the two airports are 4,193 km apart, roughly 2,264 nautical miles, which is close to 5h 23m in the air before winds and routing are taken into account. The initial track is westbound, and the middle of the route sits in subtropical latitudes.
Mountain wave over the Rockies
Mountain wave is the main feature of this corridor. When the upper wind blows across the Rockies at a strong angle, the air keeps rising and sinking downwind of the ridge, which is felt as rhythmic movement at cruise. Higher cruise levels sit above most of that wave energy.
Cruise altitudes on this sector
Long haul crews normally start cruise around FL340, then step climb toward FL380 or FL400 as the aircraft burns off fuel and can hold a higher level. Choice of level matters because turbulence is layered: a change of two or three thousand feet often puts the aircraft into calmer air, and that is one of the first adjustments a crew will request.
Seasonal pattern
Mountain wave activity follows the strength of the winter westerlies, so the most defined wave segments occur between November and March, and mid summer crossings are typically calm.
Flying this route with less worry
It is worth remembering that turbulence of the kind found on the BOS to LAX track is uncomfortable and entirely within what the aircraft is built for. Wings are designed to flex, the flight is planned around the forecast, and the crew adjusts level or track when it helps. The live forecast above shows the current picture for this corridor so there are fewer surprises on the day.