While the Haikou departure offers coastal scenery, the Melbourne landing provides more dramatic and recognizable urban-water interface views. Port Phillip Bay's distinctive geography and the approach over Melbourne's sprawling suburbs create greater visual variety and landmark density than the cruise phase over the Coral Sea and Tasman Sea, which is predominantly open ocean. The right side captures both a scenic arrival and compensates for the featureless cruise with a stronger landing sequence.
Flight Path
Coral Sea (open water with occasional reef formations near the Great Barrier Reef's southern reaches, though typically not visible at cruise altitude), Tasman Sea (open ocean), Australian east coast approaching from the north with Queensland and New South Wales coastlines visible during descent phase, inland Australian terrain transitioning from tropical to temperate zones
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from HAK
LEFTHaikou's coastal location means westbound departures (runway 27/28) offer immediate views of Qiongzhou Strait and the northern coast of Hainan Island. Eastbound departures (09/10) climb over flat inland terrain with minimal visual interest.
Landing at MEB
RIGHTMelbourne's approach into runway 26 (westbound) descends over Port Phillip Bay and the western suburbs, offering views of the bay's distinctive shape, coastal suburbs, and the city skyline. Runway 08 approaches from the east over flat inland terrain with minimal landmarks.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Haikou Meilan International Airport (HAK) to Melbourne Essendon (MEB)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Haikou to Melbourne. While the Haikou departure offers coastal scenery, the Melbourne landing provides more dramatic and recognizable urban-water interface views. Port Phillip Bay's distinctive geography and the approach over Melbourne's sprawling suburbs create greater visual variety and landmark density than the cruise phase over the Coral Sea and Tasman Sea, which is predominantly open ocean. The right side captures both a scenic arrival and compensates for the featureless cruise with a stronger landing sequence.
What can I see during takeoff from Haikou Meilan International Airport in Haikou?
During takeoff from Haikou Meilan International Airport (HAK), sit on the Left side for the best views. Haikou's coastal location means westbound departures (runway 27/28) offer immediate views of Qiongzhou Strait and the northern coast of Hainan Island. Eastbound departures (09/10) climb over flat inland terrain with minimal visual interest. Notable sights include: Qiongzhou Strait separating Hainan from Guangdong Province, Haikou harbor and urban waterfront, northern Hainan coastline with shallow bays.
What can I see when landing at Melbourne Essendon in Melbourne?
When landing at Melbourne Essendon (MEB), sit on the Right side for the best views. Melbourne's approach into runway 26 (westbound) descends over Port Phillip Bay and the western suburbs, offering views of the bay's distinctive shape, coastal suburbs, and the city skyline. Runway 08 approaches from the east over flat inland terrain with minimal landmarks. Notable sights include: Port Phillip Bay with its characteristic wide opening to the south, Melbourne's western suburbs and industrial areas, Yarra River estuary, distant CBD skyline.
How long is the flight from Haikou to Melbourne?
The flight from Haikou Meilan International Airport (HAK) to Melbourne Essendon (MEB) takes 7h 35m.
What does the Haikou to Melbourne flight path pass over?
Coral Sea (open water with occasional reef formations near the Great Barrier Reef's southern reaches, though typically not visible at cruise altitude), Tasman Sea (open ocean), Australian east coast approaching from the north with Queensland and New South Wales coastlines visible during descent phase, inland Australian terrain transitioning from tropical to temperate zones