Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from San Francisco to Melbourne. While the SFO departure offers iconic Bay Area scenery, the Melbourne landing provides more varied and recognizable urban-geographic features (bay, city skyline, mountain range, airport infrastructure). The right side benefits from a more dramatic approach sequence with multiple distinct landmarks, whereas the left side is dominated by open ocean for most of the 14+ hour flight. Right side scores higher due to landing quality and mid-flight Tasman Sea monotony on the left.

During takeoff from San Francisco International (SFO), sit on the Left side for the best views. Left side captures San Francisco Bay, the Golden Gate Bridge area, and the Marin Headlands during departure. Right side faces inland toward the Central Valley with minimal terrain drama. Notable sights include: San Francisco Bay, Golden Gate Bridge, Marin Headlands, Pacific coastline.

When landing at Melbourne Moorabbin (MBW), sit on the Right side for the best views. Right side (approaching from the east) offers views of Melbourne's urban sprawl, Port Phillip Bay, and the Dandenong Ranges. Left side faces the open Tasman Sea with minimal landmarks during the long approach. Notable sights include: Port Phillip Bay, Melbourne CBD skyline, Dandenong Ranges, Moorabbin Airport area.

The flight from San Francisco International (SFO) to Melbourne Moorabbin (MBW) takes 14h 20m.

The flight crosses the entire Pacific Ocean with minimal visible landmarks. Approximately 6-8 hours into the flight, the aircraft passes south of Hawaii (not visible on typical routing), then continues over open water. Around 10-12 hours, the aircraft approaches the Australian continent, with the Great Dividing Range becoming visible on the eastern Australian coast before descent into Melbourne. The Tasman Sea dominates the entire cruise phase with no islands or terrain features visible from standard flight altitudes.