The right side pairs Sydney's iconic harbour skyline at departure with Dubai's engineered coastline and skyline at arrival, plus glimpses of Australia's red desert interior during the long ocean crossing — a stronger set of landmarks than the left side's Botany Bay suburbs and largely featureless southern approach.
Flight Path
After crossing the red sand plains and dry lake beds of the Great Victoria Desert and Nullarbor fringe in southern Australia, the route runs for many hours over the open Indian Ocean with no land in sight, before the Hajar Mountains and the Gulf of Oman coastline come into view as the aircraft nears the Arabian Peninsula.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from SYD
RIGHTSydney departures typically climb out over the harbour before banking onto the westbound track toward Dubai, giving right-side passengers a sweeping view of the Opera House, Harbour Bridge and CBD skyline. As the aircraft settles onto its outbound heading, the Blue Mountains escarpment appears on the horizon ahead.
Landing at DXB
RIGHTArriving from the southeast over the Gulf of Oman, the descent into Dubai on the Gulf-facing approach reveals the fronds of Palm Jumeirah and the Burj Al Arab jutting into the sea, with the Dubai Marina towers and the distant Burj Khalifa completing the skyline before touchdown.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD) to Dubai International (DXB)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Sydney to Dubai. The right side pairs Sydney's iconic harbour skyline at departure with Dubai's engineered coastline and skyline at arrival, plus glimpses of Australia's red desert interior during the long ocean crossing — a stronger set of landmarks than the left side's Botany Bay suburbs and largely featureless southern approach.
What can I see during takeoff from Kingsford Smith International Airport in Sydney?
During takeoff from Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD), sit on the Right side for the best views. Sydney departures typically climb out over the harbour before banking onto the westbound track toward Dubai, giving right-side passengers a sweeping view of the Opera House, Harbour Bridge and CBD skyline. As the aircraft settles onto its outbound heading, the Blue Mountains escarpment appears on the horizon ahead. Notable sights include: Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, Sydney CBD skyline, Blue Mountains escarpment.
What can I see when landing at Dubai International in Dubai?
When landing at Dubai International (DXB), sit on the Right side for the best views. Arriving from the southeast over the Gulf of Oman, the descent into Dubai on the Gulf-facing approach reveals the fronds of Palm Jumeirah and the Burj Al Arab jutting into the sea, with the Dubai Marina towers and the distant Burj Khalifa completing the skyline before touchdown. Notable sights include: Palm Jumeirah, Burj Al Arab, Dubai Marina towers, Burj Khalifa.
How long is the flight from Sydney to Dubai?
The flight from Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD) to Dubai International (DXB) takes 14h 35m.
What does the Sydney to Dubai flight path pass over?
After crossing the red sand plains and dry lake beds of the Great Victoria Desert and Nullarbor fringe in southern Australia, the route runs for many hours over the open Indian Ocean with no land in sight, before the Hajar Mountains and the Gulf of Oman coastline come into view as the aircraft nears the Arabian Peninsula.