Melbourne to Sydney flight path: MEL to SYD

Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Melbourne to Sydney. While the right side offers a brief glimpse of Melbourne's bay and skyline at departure plus coastal scenery en route, the left side's approach into Sydney delivers one of Australia's most recognizable views — the Harbour Bridge, Opera House and CBD skyline — which outweighs the modest cruise-phase advantage of the right side.

During takeoff from Melbourne International (MEL), sit on the Right side for the best views. Departing on runway 34, the aircraft climbs north before banking right onto the Sydney track, and during that turn the right side briefly faces back toward Melbourne's CBD skyline and Port Phillip Bay. The left side only shows flat northern suburban sprawl and farmland with no distinguishing features. Notable sights include: Port Phillip Bay, Melbourne CBD skyline, Dandenong Ranges (distant), Yarra River mouth.

When landing at Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD), sit on the Left side for the best views. On the typical southerly approach into runway 34, the aircraft tracks up the coast then swings toward the harbour, putting Sydney's CBD, Harbour Bridge and Opera House squarely on the left side just before touchdown. The right side instead looks out over open ocean and the cliffs near Botany Bay, which is scenic but far less iconic. Notable sights include: Sydney Harbour, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Opera House, Botany Bay.

The flight from Melbourne International (MEL) to Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD) takes about 1 hour 25 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 438 miles (706 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.

Gippsland plains and lakes, Ninety Mile Beach and Bass Strait coastline, NSW South Coast near Eden and Jervis Bay, distant foothills of the Australian Alps to the northwest