Right seats capture the more dramatic geography on both legs: Sydney's Blue Mountains and coastal features on departure (if westbound), and Delhi's Yamuna River valley and Aravalli Hills on arrival. The westbound routing over the Indian subcontinent also favors right-side views of major terrain features.
Flight Path
The flight path crosses the Indian Ocean, then enters South Asia over the Arabian Sea and western India. Notable features include the Western Ghats mountain range (visible on approach to the Indian subcontinent), the Deccan Plateau, and the Ganges Plain as you approach Delhi from the south. The Himalayas are too far north of the direct routing to be visible, but the transition from coastal terrain to the Indo-Gangetic Plain is striking during the final 2 hours of descent.
Great circle distance and headings ›.jpg?width=600)
.jpeg?width=600)
Phase by phase
Takeoff from SYD
LEFTSYD typically departs runways 07L/07R or 25L/25R depending on wind. Eastbound departures (07L/07R) climb over the Tasman Sea initially, but a left seat on westbound departures (25L/25R) captures the Blue Mountains escarpment and the Cumberland Plain spreading inland. Left seats on either runway offer better views of Sydney's geography as you climb.
Landing at DEL
RIGHTDEL uses runways 09L/09R and 27L/27R. Right seats on approach from the west (runway 09L/09R) provide excellent views of the Yamuna River floodplain, Delhi's urban sprawl, and the transition from agricultural land to the city. The Aravalli Hills are visible to the south on right seats during descent.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
Will your flight be in sunlight?
See exactly which side of the plane gets sun and shade at your departure time.
About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD) to Indira Gandhi International (DEL)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Sydney to Delhi. Right seats capture the more dramatic geography on both legs: Sydney's Blue Mountains and coastal features on departure (if westbound), and Delhi's Yamuna River valley and Aravalli Hills on arrival. The westbound routing over the Indian subcontinent also favors right-side views of major terrain features.
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. SYD typically departs runways 07L/07R or 25L/25R depending on wind. Eastbound departures (07L/07R) climb over the Tasman Sea initially, but a left seat on westbound departures (25L/25R) captures the Blue Mountains escarpment and the Cumberland Plain spreading inland. Left seats on either runway offer better views of Sydney's geography as you climb. Notable sights include: Blue Mountains (Great Dividing Range), Hawkesbury River valley, Sydney Harbour and coastal headlands, Cumberland Plain urban sprawl.
What can I see when landing at Indira Gandhi International in Delhi?
When landing at Indira Gandhi International (DEL), sit on the Right side for the best views. DEL uses runways 09L/09R and 27L/27R. Right seats on approach from the west (runway 09L/09R) provide excellent views of the Yamuna River floodplain, Delhi's urban sprawl, and the transition from agricultural land to the city. The Aravalli Hills are visible to the south on right seats during descent. Notable sights include: Yamuna River and floodplain, Delhi urban expanse (New Delhi, Old Delhi districts), Aravalli Hills (south), agricultural fields of Haryana.
How long is the flight from Sydney to Delhi?
The flight from Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD) to Indira Gandhi International (DEL) takes Approximately 8.5 to 9.5 hours.
What does the Sydney to Delhi flight path pass over?
The flight path crosses the Indian Ocean, then enters South Asia over the Arabian Sea and western India. Notable features include the Western Ghats mountain range (visible on approach to the Indian subcontinent), the Deccan Plateau, and the Ganges Plain as you approach Delhi from the south. The Himalayas are too far north of the direct routing to be visible, but the transition from coastal terrain to the Indo-Gangetic Plain is striking during the final 2 hours of descent.