About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Sydney Bankstown (BWU) to Los Angeles International (LAX)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Sydney to Los Angeles. Right side delivers the best views at both ends of the flight — Sydney Harbour and the Blue Mountains on departure, and the Santa Monica Bay coastline and LA Basin on arrival. Over the Pacific the views are largely featureless ocean on both sides, so the terminal views are the deciding factor.
What can I see during takeoff from Sydney Bankstown in Sydney?
During takeoff from Sydney Bankstown (BWU), sit on the Right side for the best views. Bankstown Airport's primary runway 11/29 means eastward departures (runway 11) swing north over Sydney's western suburbs, putting the right side over the city skyline, Sydney Harbour, and the eastern beaches. A westward departure (runway 29) climbs toward the Blue Mountains, also better on the right for the escarpment views. Notable sights include: Sydney CBD skyline and Harbour Bridge, Sydney Harbour and Manly headland, Blue Mountains escarpment to the west, Botany Bay and Port Botany container terminal.
What can I see when landing at Los Angeles International in Los Angeles?
When landing at Los Angeles International (LAX), sit on the Right side for the best views. LAX's runways 24L/24R are the dominant westward landing configuration, meaning the approach comes in from the east over Los Angeles. The right side of the aircraft faces south, giving clear views over the South Bay, Santa Monica Bay, and the coastline as the plane descends over the LA Basin. Notable sights include: Santa Monica Bay and Pacific coastline, Downtown Los Angeles skyline to the northeast, Palos Verdes Peninsula, Marina del Rey harbor.
How long is the flight from Sydney to Los Angeles?
The flight from Sydney Bankstown (BWU) to Los Angeles International (LAX) takes Approximately 13 to 14 hours nonstop.
What does the Sydney to Los Angeles flight path pass over?
The great circle route from Sydney to Los Angeles tracks northeast across the Tasman Sea, then over New Zealand's North Island (where the volcanic plateau and Tongariro massif may be briefly visible), before crossing the vast open South and Central Pacific Ocean. The route passes north of French Polynesia and the Cook Islands, crossing the equator roughly over the central Pacific. In the final hours the aircraft descends toward the California coast, with Baja California and the Channel Islands potentially visible on approach.