Melbourne to Christchurch flight path: MEL to CHC

Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Melbourne to Christchurch. The right side wins both takeoff and landing — Melbourne's bay and peninsula coastline on departure, and Banks Peninsula with the Canterbury Plains and distant Southern Alps on arrival — while the left side spends most of the flight over featureless plains and open Tasman Sea.

During takeoff from Melbourne International (MEL), sit on the Right side for the best views. Departing MEL to the south/southeast, right side gives views over Port Phillip Bay and the Mornington Peninsula coastline before the aircraft turns out over the Tasman Sea. Left side mostly shows Melbourne's flat northern suburbs and inland plains. Notable sights include: Port Phillip Bay, Mornington Peninsula, Bass Strait coastline.

When landing at Christchurch International (CHC), sit on the Right side for the best views. Approaching CHC from the northeast over the Pacific, the right side reveals the Southern Alps' foothills and the Canterbury Plains fanning out toward the coast, plus Banks Peninsula's volcanic hills near the final approach. Left side view is dominated by open ocean until close to landing. Notable sights include: Banks Peninsula, Canterbury Plains, Southern Alps foothills, Pegasus Bay coastline.

The flight from Melbourne International (MEL) to Christchurch International (CHC) takes about 3 hours 25 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 1,500 miles (2,414 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.

Open Tasman Sea with no landmasses visible for the bulk of the cruise portion