Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from San Francisco to Sydney. The left seat delivers the more dramatic and iconic departure view — San Francisco Bay, the city skyline, and the Bay Bridge are genuinely spectacular at low altitude. The landing views at Bankstown are relatively modest suburban scenery on either side, so the takeoff experience tips the balance to the left seat overall.

During takeoff from San Francisco International (SFO), sit on the Left side for the best views. SFO typically departs south on runways 28L/28R heading west then turning northwest, or departs on 01L/01R heading north. On the common westward departure over the bay, the left side gives you San Francisco Bay, the city skyline, and the Bay Bridge. On a northward departure, left side tracks along the bay toward Oakland and the East Bay hills. Notable sights include: San Francisco Bay, Bay Bridge, San Francisco city skyline, Oakland and East Bay hills.

When landing at Sydney Bankstown (BWU), sit on the Right side for the best views. Bankstown Airport typically uses runways 11/29 or 29/11. On a westward approach to runway 29, aircraft track over the southern Sydney suburbs from the east, putting the right side toward the Georges River, Botany Bay, and the distant CBD skyline to the north. The right seat gives a broader view of the Sydney basin geography on final approach. Notable sights include: Georges River, Botany Bay, Western Sydney suburban grid, Blue Mountains on the distant western horizon.

The flight from San Francisco International (SFO) to Sydney Bankstown (BWU) takes Approximately 14 to 15 hours nonstop, though this route typically requires a connection as no carrier operates SFO-BWU nonstop; connecting via SYD adds transit time.

The great circle route from SFO to Sydney tracks southwest over the Pacific Ocean, passing well south of Hawaii, crossing the equator at roughly 170 degrees west longitude, then continuing southwest over the central South Pacific. The route passes near Kiribati and Fiji in the mid-Pacific, then approaches Australia from the northeast, crossing the Queensland coast before descending toward Sydney. The vast majority of the flight is open ocean with no visible landmarks.