LAX SYD Los Angeles International to Kingsford Smith International Airport

Which side of the plane from Los Angeles to Sydney

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Which side of the plane?

Pick the window seat with the view. 13,500 routes answered — landmarks, coastlines and cities, wing by wing.

About This Route

Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Los Angeles International (LAX) to Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD)?

Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Los Angeles to Sydney. The right side delivers the more dramatic takeoff view with the full Los Angeles basin spread out clearly. Over the Pacific the views are symmetrical and oceanic. On arrival the left side is better for Sydney, but the LAX departure spectacle on the right is the highlight of the flight for window seat scenery.

What can I see during takeoff from Los Angeles International in Los Angeles?

During takeoff from Los Angeles International (LAX), sit on the Right side for the best views. LAX departures heading west over the Pacific typically use runways 24L/24R, meaning the right side faces north toward Santa Monica, the Hollywood Hills, and downtown LA. The urban grid of Los Angeles spreads out clearly before the aircraft banks south toward the Pacific. Notable sights include: Downtown LA skyline to the northeast, Santa Monica Bay coastline, Hollywood Hills ridgeline, Port of Los Angeles at San Pedro.

What can I see when landing at Kingsford Smith International Airport in Sydney?

When landing at Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD), sit on the Left side for the best views. Flights from LAX typically approach Sydney from the northeast, landing on runways 16L/16R heading south. The left side of the aircraft faces east over the Pacific and then picks up the Sydney coastline, Botany Bay, and the city's eastern suburbs as the aircraft descends. The right side faces inland toward western suburbs with less visual interest. Notable sights include: Botany Bay directly below on approach, Sydney CBD skyline and Harbour Bridge to the north, Bondi Beach on the eastern coastline, Royal National Park headlands to the south.

How long is the flight from Los Angeles to Sydney?

The flight from Los Angeles International (LAX) to Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD) takes Approximately 14 to 15 hours nonstop.

What does the Los Angeles to Sydney flight path pass over?

The flight tracks southwest across the open Pacific Ocean, passing well north of Hawaii. The route crosses the equator roughly 4 to 5 hours after departure. The Cook Islands and Fiji appear as tiny low atolls and island clusters in the central South Pacific, visible only on very clear days as small dark specks against blue water. The Tasman Sea is crossed in the final 2 hours before the Australian east coast comes into view near Byron Bay or the Gold Coast, with the Great Dividing Range visible as a low inland ridge before descending into Sydney.