Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Melbourne to Shanghai. Right seats capture the most dramatic geography: Port Phillip Bay's eastern shore during departure and the Huangpu River's iconic curves with Shanghai's skyline during arrival. The landing view is particularly striking and compensates for a less dramatic takeoff.

During takeoff from Melbourne International (MEL), sit on the Left side for the best views. Melbourne typically departs runway 27 (westbound) or 09 (eastbound). Left seats on eastbound departures (runway 09) offer views of Port Phillip Bay's eastern shoreline and the Dandenong Ranges. Westbound departures (runway 27) favor left seats for views across the bay toward the You Yangs. Notable sights include: Port Phillip Bay (immediate water body below), Dandenong Ranges (forested ridge to the northeast during eastbound climbs), You Yangs volcanic peaks (visible to the west during westbound climbs), Williamstown industrial area and bay shipping lanes.

When landing at Shanghai Pudong International (PVG), sit on the Right side for the best views. Shanghai Pudong uses runways 08L/08R (eastbound) or 26L/26R (westbound). Right seats on eastbound approaches (runways 08L/08R) provide excellent views of the Huangpu River's distinctive curves, Pudong's skyline, and the East China Sea. Westbound approaches favor right seats for views of the Yangtze River delta's agricultural patchwork. Notable sights include: Huangpu River with its characteristic sharp bends (Oriental Pearl Tower and Lujiazui skyline visible along it), Yangtze River delta agricultural grid (geometric rice paddies and waterways), East China Sea coastline, Hangzhou Bay to the south.

The flight from Melbourne International (MEL) to Shanghai Pudong International (PVG) takes Approximately 8.5 to 9.5 hours.

The flight path crosses the Tasman Sea (no landmarks visible, open ocean for roughly 2,000 miles), then approaches the Australian east coast near Brisbane/Gold Coast area (visible as coastal cities and beaches if daylight permits), continues northwest over the Coral Sea, then crosses into the Arafura Sea north of Australia. The approach to China crosses the South China Sea, with the Luzon Strait and Taiwan Strait regions passed to the south/east. The final descent enters the Yangtze River delta's flat agricultural landscape with its distinctive canal-grid pattern visible from altitude.