Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Melbourne to Queenstown International. Right-side seats win overall because the Dandenong Ranges departure view is more visually distinctive than the landing, and right-side passengers also see the Southern Alps and New Zealand's South Island terrain during the cruise phase as the aircraft crosses the Tasman Sea.

During takeoff from Melbourne International (MEL), sit on the Right side for the best views. Right-side seats capture the Dandenong Ranges as the aircraft climbs southeast from MEL's primary runways (09L/27R or 09R/27L). The ranges form a distinct dark forested ridge immediately east of the airport, visible for the first 10-15 minutes of climb. Notable sights include: Dandenong Ranges (forested ridge east of airport), Port Phillip Bay (large water body to the southwest), Yarra River valley (threading through Melbourne's eastern suburbs), Macedon Ranges (distant ridge to the northwest on the opposite side).

When landing at Queenstown (ZQN), sit on the Left side for the best views. Left-side seats offer the best views during approach to Queenstown. The aircraft descends over Lake Wakatipu from the north, and left-side passengers see the Remarkables mountain range in dramatic profile as the plane aligns with the runway (typically 05/23). The lake's distinctive long, narrow shape and the mountains' steep faces are striking. Notable sights include: Lake Wakatipu (long, narrow alpine lake dominating the view), The Remarkables (steep, jagged mountain range on the west side of the lake), Coronet Peak (rounded snow-capped peak to the north), Queenstown town center (small settlement on the lake's northeastern shore).

The flight from Melbourne International (MEL) to Queenstown (ZQN) takes Approximately 2 hours 15 minutes.

The flight crosses the Tasman Sea at cruise altitude (typically 28,000-32,000 feet). Right-side passengers will see the New Zealand coastline approaching, with the Southern Alps visible as a snow-capped mountain chain running the length of the South Island's spine. Lake Te Anau and Lake Manapouri are visible as large alpine lakes in the Fiordland region west of Queenstown, approximately 30-40 minutes before landing. The terrain transitions from ocean to increasingly mountainous landscape with visible glacial valleys and fjords as the descent begins.