What you're seeing over Riverside
Over Riverside and the rest of the Inland Empire, the planes you see are a mix of three things: cargo and passenger jets at Ontario International, military tankers and transports at March Air Reserve Base, and a steady stream of Los Angeles-bound airliners descending overhead from the east. The region is a giant logistics hub, so the cargo side is especially strong, with UPS, FedEx and Amazon freighters flying in and out of Ontario and San Bernardino.
Many flights from the eastern US pass over the Inland Empire as they descend into LAX, so you will often see airliners at 15,000 to 25,000 feet over Riverside, lining up for the long descent toward the coast. Ontario, about 15 miles northwest, sees most of its arrivals from the east in normal west-wind conditions. March Air Reserve Base, just southeast of the city, adds big military jets on approach. The altitude readout usually separates the two: an Ontario arrival over Riverside will typically be below about 6,000 feet, while a jet bound for LAX is usually still well above 10,000.
Airports near Riverside
- commercialONTOntario International Airport
KONT · 14 miles northwest of downtown
The Inland Empire's main airport, with a major UPS operation and significant FedEx and Amazon cargo. Live traffic at ONT ↗ - militaryRIVMarch Air Reserve Base
KRIV · 9 miles southeast of downtown
An Air Force Reserve base flying KC-135 tankers and C-17 transports. Live traffic at RIV ↗ - cargoSBDSan Bernardino International Airport
KSBD · 13 miles northeast of downtown
A former Air Force base now home to a large Amazon Air hub and aircraft maintenance. Live traffic at SBD ↗ - general aviationRALRiverside Municipal Airport
KRAL · near downtown
A city-owned general aviation airport on the west side of Riverside. Live traffic at RAL ↗ - general aviationCNOChino Airport
KCNO · 14 miles west of downtown
A general aviation airport known for its warbird restoration shops and Planes of Fame museum. Live traffic at CNO ↗
Common traffic over Riverside
Ontario's passenger side is a mix of Southwest, which is the biggest carrier, along with American, Delta, United, Alaska and others flying 737s, A320-family jets and regional jets. The cargo side is just as important: UPS runs a large West Coast operation at ONT, and FedEx and Amazon fly 767 freighters, A300s and 757s. San Bernardino hosts a major Amazon Air hub.
How the flows work:
- West flow at Ontario, the usual: arrivals come in from the east over Rancho Cucamonga, Fontana and Rialto, and departures climb out to the west over Chino and Pomona.
- East flow, during Santa Ana winds: arrivals come from the west and departures head east toward San Bernardino.
LAX arrivals from the east funnel through the region at altitude, often descending over Riverside and Corona before continuing toward Los Angeles. Many Palm Springs and Phoenix flights also cross the area.
March Air Reserve Base is home to the 452nd Air Mobility Wing, which flies KC-135 tankers and C-17 transports. You may see them flying patterns over Moreno Valley and Perris. Fire season brings air tankers and firefighting helicopters, and CAL FIRE and Riverside County helicopters are a common sight. Chino and Riverside airports add vintage warbirds and general aviation traffic.
Aircraft you'll often see here
Boeing 737-800
narrowbody airliner
Boeing 767-300 / 767-300ER / 767-300F
widebody twin-jet
Boeing 757-200
large narrowbody airliner
Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker
military aerial refueling tanker
Boeing C-17 Globemaster III
military strategic airlifter
Airbus A320
narrowbody airliner
Embraer E175
regional jet
Cessna 172 Skyhawk
single-engine piston airplane
Plane-spotting tips for Riverside
The public roads around Ontario's perimeter give good views of arrivals and cargo operations. At Chino, the Planes of Fame Air Museum has warbirds on display and often flying. The March Field Air Museum, right next to March Air Reserve Base, has a large outdoor collection and views of military traffic. From downtown Riverside, look north and west for LAX arrivals descending overhead and northwest for Ontario. Santa Ana winds can make for clear, dramatic skies, while summer smog can reduce visibility. Mount Rubidoux, right in Riverside, gives a panorama over the city and the high LAX arrival stream, and the open country around Lake Perris offers long views of tankers and C-17s in the pattern at March.
Riverside sky questions
Why are there so many cargo planes over the Inland Empire?
The Inland Empire is one of the largest logistics regions in the country. UPS, FedEx and Amazon run big operations at Ontario and San Bernardino, so freighters fly in and out day and night.
What are the big military jets over Moreno Valley?
They are usually KC-135 tankers and C-17 transports from the 452nd Air Mobility Wing at March Air Reserve Base, just southeast of Riverside.
Why do I see so many airliners high over Riverside?
Many flights from the east descend into Los Angeles across the Inland Empire. They pass over Riverside at mid-altitudes as they line up for the long descent to LAX.
Nearby cities
Planes over Los Angeles (49 mi) · Planes over San Diego (87 mi) · Planes over Las Vegas (199 mi) · Planes over Phoenix (308 mi)