Los Angeles to Sydney flight path: LAX to SYD

Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Los Angeles to Sydney. Both the LAX coastal departure and the Sydney Harbour arrival favor the left side, giving passengers a scenic bookend to an otherwise ocean-dominated 15-hour crossing with little to see in between.

During takeoff from Los Angeles International (LAX), sit on the Left side for the best views. Departing LAX in the standard west-flow pattern, the aircraft climbs out over Santa Monica Bay and banks left to establish its southwesterly track toward the Pacific. That left turn swings the Palos Verdes Peninsula, the South Bay coastline, and Catalina Island into view on the left side before the coast disappears behind for the long ocean crossing. Notable sights include: Santa Monica Bay, Palos Verdes Peninsula, Catalina Island, Los Angeles coastline.

When landing at Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD), sit on the Left side for the best views. On the approach into Sydney, arrivals routed over the harbour pass just to the west of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, putting the CBD skyline and the blue expanse of Sydney Harbour on the left side of the cabin in the final minutes before touchdown at Kingsford Smith. It's one of the most recognizable urban approach views in commercial aviation. Notable sights include: Sydney Harbour, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, Botany Bay.

The flight from Los Angeles International (LAX) to Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD) takes 15h 20m.

Open South Pacific Ocean, crossing the International Date Line, passing well south of Hawaii and east of Fiji with no significant land visible for many hours