Melbourne to Los Angeles flight pathMEBLAX

Sit on the right side of the plane

Reverse

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

Flight time14h 55m
Distance7,926
Heading065° → 060°
Best side
Right
★ 1.5 left·★ 2.5 right

Both the Melbourne departure and the LAX arrival favor the right side, offering city skyline and coastal or mountain views, while the roughly 13-hour trans-Pacific cruise leaves nothing but open ocean for either side, capping both scores.

Takeoff · MEBRIGHTMelbourne CBD skyline, Port Phillip Bay, Yarra River mouth
Landing · LAXRIGHTSan Gabriel Mountains, Downtown Los Angeles skyline, Griffith Observatory ridge

Flight Path

Flight path overview

Open Pacific Ocean, crossing near Fiji and the International Date Line, no land visible for most of the cruise

Great circle distance and headings ›

Phase by phase

Takeoff from MEB

RIGHT

As the aircraft lifts off from Essendon and banks toward the northeast to begin the Pacific crossing, the right-side windows catch Melbourne's CBD skyline and the edge of Port Phillip Bay before the city gives way to farmland. The left side mostly shows flat suburban sprawl with no defining features.

Melbourne CBD skylinePort Phillip BayYarra River mouth
Aerial window seat view during landing at Los Angeles (right side) — San Gabriel Mountains, Downtown Los Angeles skyline, Griffith Observatory ridge, San Fernando Valley

Landing at LAX

RIGHT

On the typical west-flow arrival into LAX, the aircraft descends over the Los Angeles basin before turning out toward the coast for final approach. The right-side windows get a clear view of the San Gabriel Mountains rising behind the city and a wide sweep of the downtown LA skyline before the turn toward the ocean.

San Gabriel MountainsDowntown Los Angeles skylineGriffith Observatory ridgeSan Fernando Valley

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About This Route

Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Melbourne Essendon (MEB) to Los Angeles International (LAX)?

Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Melbourne to Los Angeles. Both the Melbourne departure and the LAX arrival favor the right side, offering city skyline and coastal or mountain views, while the roughly 13-hour trans-Pacific cruise leaves nothing but open ocean for either side, capping both scores.

What can I see during takeoff from Melbourne Essendon in Melbourne?

During takeoff from Melbourne Essendon (MEB), sit on the Right side for the best views. As the aircraft lifts off from Essendon and banks toward the northeast to begin the Pacific crossing, the right-side windows catch Melbourne's CBD skyline and the edge of Port Phillip Bay before the city gives way to farmland. The left side mostly shows flat suburban sprawl with no defining features. Notable sights include: Melbourne CBD skyline, Port Phillip Bay, Yarra River mouth.

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. On the typical west-flow arrival into LAX, the aircraft descends over the Los Angeles basin before turning out toward the coast for final approach. The right-side windows get a clear view of the San Gabriel Mountains rising behind the city and a wide sweep of the downtown LA skyline before the turn toward the ocean. Notable sights include: San Gabriel Mountains, Downtown Los Angeles skyline, Griffith Observatory ridge, San Fernando Valley.

How long is the flight from Melbourne to Los Angeles?

The flight from Melbourne Essendon (MEB) to Los Angeles International (LAX) takes 14h 55m.

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

Open Pacific Ocean, crossing near Fiji and the International Date Line, no land visible for most of the cruise