While left seats offer excellent Blue Mountains views during Sydney departure, right seats deliver superior scenery on the approach to Mumbai with the Arabian Sea, Thane Creek wetlands, and coastal geography. The landing experience outweighs the takeoff advantage.
Flown SYD to BOM? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Sydney to Bombay is 6,312 miles (10,159 km), a flight of about 12 hours 15 minutes.
The flight path crosses the Indian Ocean for approximately 4 hours with no significant landmarks visible. The aircraft passes over the Andaman Sea and approaches the Indian subcontinent from the southwest, with the Western Ghats mountains becoming visible on the eastern horizon during the final descent phase. The Deccan Plateau is too distant and too far inland to be visible from the standard approach corridor into Mumbai.
Great circle distance and headings ›.jpg?width=600)
.jpg?width=600)
Phase by phase
Takeoff from SYD
LEFTLeft seats offer views of the Blue Mountains and the Illawarra Escarpment as the aircraft climbs westward out of Sydney. Right seats face the Tasman Sea with minimal scenic content during the initial climb.
Landing at BOM
RIGHTRight seats provide views of the Arabian Sea, Mumbai's coastal geography, and the approach over the Thane Creek and Colaba Peninsula as the aircraft descends toward Bombay. Left seats face inland with less distinctive scenery.
Will your flight be in sunlight?
Pick a date and time in the Sun Map to watch the sun move across your whole flight.
About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD) to Chhatrapati Shivaji International (BOM)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Sydney to Bombay. While left seats offer excellent Blue Mountains views during Sydney departure, right seats deliver superior scenery on the approach to Mumbai with the Arabian Sea, Thane Creek wetlands, and coastal geography. The landing experience outweighs the takeoff advantage.
What can I see during takeoff from Kingsford Smith International Airport in Sydney?
During takeoff from Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD), sit on the Left side for the best views. Left seats offer views of the Blue Mountains and the Illawarra Escarpment as the aircraft climbs westward out of Sydney. Right seats face the Tasman Sea with minimal scenic content during the initial climb. Notable sights include: Blue Mountains (inland, 50 miles west), Illawarra Escarpment (south-southwest), Sydney Harbour and CBD (receding below), Wollongong coastal plain (southern horizon).
What can I see when landing at Chhatrapati Shivaji International in Bombay?
When landing at Chhatrapati Shivaji International (BOM), sit on the Right side for the best views. Right seats provide views of the Arabian Sea, Mumbai's coastal geography, and the approach over the Thane Creek and Colaba Peninsula as the aircraft descends toward Bombay. Left seats face inland with less distinctive scenery. Notable sights include: Arabian Sea (western approach), Thane Creek and mangrove wetlands (north of runway), Colaba Peninsula and Mumbai skyline (southern approach), Western Ghats mountains (distant eastern horizon).
How long is the flight from Sydney to Bombay?
The flight from Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD) to Chhatrapati Shivaji International (BOM) takes about 12 hours 15 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 6,312 miles (10,159 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Sydney to Bombay flight path pass over?
The flight path crosses the Indian Ocean for approximately 4 hours with no significant landmarks visible. The aircraft passes over the Andaman Sea and approaches the Indian subcontinent from the southwest, with the Western Ghats mountains becoming visible on the eastern horizon during the final descent phase. The Deccan Plateau is too distant and too far inland to be visible from the standard approach corridor into Mumbai.