The right-side Sydney departure view over the Harbour, Opera House, and Bondi Beach is world-class and hard to beat. The landing view from the left is excellent but more commonly seen. For a once-in-a-while route, the Sydney departure on the right is the standout moment of the flight.
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Flight Path
Sydney to Newark is 9,930 miles (15,981 km), a flight of about 21 hours.
Departing Sydney, the route tracks northeast over the Coral Sea and New Caledonia. Crossing the central Pacific, the flight passes near Kiribati and the Line Islands. The Hawaiian Islands may be visible if routing goes near Honolulu. Over the continental US, the Sierra Nevada range in California, the Rocky Mountains across Nevada and Utah, and the Great Plains of the Midwest are crossed before descending into the northeastern US corridor.
Great circle distance and headings ›
Phase by phase

Takeoff from SYD
RIGHTSYD typically departs on runway 16R heading south, then turns northeast over the city. Right-side seats get Sydney Harbour, the Opera House, and the Harbour Bridge as the aircraft banks left over the eastern suburbs. This is one of the most iconic urban departure views in aviation.

Landing at EWR
LEFTEWR approaches typically come in from the northeast on runway 22L or 29, tracking over New York Harbor and Lower Manhattan. Left-side seats get a direct broadside view of the Manhattan skyline, the Statue of Liberty in the harbor, and the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge before touchdown.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD) to Newark Liberty International (EWR)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Sydney to Newark. The right-side Sydney departure view over the Harbour, Opera House, and Bondi Beach is world-class and hard to beat. The landing view from the left is excellent but more commonly seen. For a once-in-a-while route, the Sydney departure on the right is the standout moment of the flight.
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. SYD typically departs on runway 16R heading south, then turns northeast over the city. Right-side seats get Sydney Harbour, the Opera House, and the Harbour Bridge as the aircraft banks left over the eastern suburbs. This is one of the most iconic urban departure views in aviation. Notable sights include: Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, Bondi Beach, Port Jackson harbour system.
What can I see when landing at Newark Liberty International in Newark?
When landing at Newark Liberty International (EWR), sit on the Left side for the best views. EWR approaches typically come in from the northeast on runway 22L or 29, tracking over New York Harbor and Lower Manhattan. Left-side seats get a direct broadside view of the Manhattan skyline, the Statue of Liberty in the harbor, and the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge before touchdown. Notable sights include: Manhattan skyline, Statue of Liberty, Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, New York Harbor.
How long is the flight from Sydney to Newark?
The flight from Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD) to Newark Liberty International (EWR) takes about 21 hours. The shortest flight path between them is 9,930 miles (15,981 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Sydney to Newark flight path pass over?
Departing Sydney, the route tracks northeast over the Coral Sea and New Caledonia. Crossing the central Pacific, the flight passes near Kiribati and the Line Islands. The Hawaiian Islands may be visible if routing goes near Honolulu. Over the continental US, the Sierra Nevada range in California, the Rocky Mountains across Nevada and Utah, and the Great Plains of the Midwest are crossed before descending into the northeastern US corridor.