Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Shanghai to Melbourne. While takeoff offers interesting estuary views on the right, the landing approach into Melbourne provides more dramatic and sustained scenery. Port Phillip Bay, the Dandenong Ranges, and the Yarra River valley create a more visually compelling final descent than the initial Shanghai climb-out.

During takeoff from Shanghai Pudong International (PVG), sit on the Right side for the best views. Right-side seats offer views of the Yangtze River estuary and Hangzhou Bay as the aircraft climbs southwestward from Shanghai Pudong. The river's distinctive braided channels and tidal mudflats are clearly visible during the initial climb phase. Notable sights include: Yangtze River estuary with tidal channels, Hangzhou Bay, Shanghai urban sprawl extending inland, East China Sea coastline.

When landing at Melbourne Essendon (MEB), sit on the Left side for the best views. Left-side seats provide excellent views during descent into Melbourne Essendon. The approach typically brings aircraft over Port Phillip Bay from the northwest, revealing the bay's distinctive shape, the Dandenong Ranges to the east, and the urban sprawl of Melbourne. Notable sights include: Port Phillip Bay with its characteristic wide opening to the south, Dandenong Ranges (forested ridge to the east), Yarra River valley, Melbourne CBD and urban grid.

The flight from Shanghai Pudong International (PVG) to Melbourne Essendon (MEB) takes Approximately 9-10 hours.

The flight path crosses the South China Sea, passing east of Vietnam and Cambodia, then over the Coral Sea north of Australia. Notable midpoint features include the coastlines of northern Australia (Cape York Peninsula visible on approach to Australian airspace), the Great Barrier Reef region (visible at altitude as a lighter blue-green band along the Queensland coast), and the transition from tropical waters to temperate Australian seas. The flight typically maintains cruising altitude of 35,000-43,000 feet across open ocean for the majority of the journey, offering limited distinctive landmarks until approaching Australian airspace.