The left side captures Sydney's harbor and city skyline on departure and the forested terrain near Kuala Lumpur on arrival, while the right side mostly faces open ocean and featureless desert during the long cruise over central Australia and the Timor Sea.
Flight Path
Central Australian outback (Simpson Desert fringes), Timor Sea, Indonesian archipelago including Sumatra and the Strait of Malacca
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from SYD
LEFTDeparting Sydney on the northerly runways, the aircraft climbs out over Botany Bay and then banks west, giving left-side passengers a brief but clear view back over the city skyline, Sydney Harbour, and the Blue Mountains foothills before the turn onto the northwest track toward the outback.
Landing at KUL
LEFTOn approach into Kuala Lumpur from the south during the southwest monsoon pattern, left-side passengers get a good look at the forested Titiwangsa Range foothills and the palm-oil plantation mosaic before the flat final approach over KLIA's grounds.
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 Kuala Lumpur International (KUL)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Sydney to Kuala Lumpur. The left side captures Sydney's harbor and city skyline on departure and the forested terrain near Kuala Lumpur on arrival, while the right side mostly faces open ocean and featureless desert during the long cruise over central Australia and the Timor Sea.
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. Departing Sydney on the northerly runways, the aircraft climbs out over Botany Bay and then banks west, giving left-side passengers a brief but clear view back over the city skyline, Sydney Harbour, and the Blue Mountains foothills before the turn onto the northwest track toward the outback. Notable sights include: Sydney CBD skyline, Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House (distant), Botany Bay, Blue Mountains escarpment.
What can I see when landing at Kuala Lumpur International in Kuala Lumpur?
When landing at Kuala Lumpur International (KUL), sit on the Left side for the best views. On approach into Kuala Lumpur from the south during the southwest monsoon pattern, left-side passengers get a good look at the forested Titiwangsa Range foothills and the palm-oil plantation mosaic before the flat final approach over KLIA's grounds. Notable sights include: Titiwangsa Range foothills, oil palm plantations, Sepang district, KLIA terminal complex.
How long is the flight from Sydney to Kuala Lumpur?
The flight from Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD) to Kuala Lumpur International (KUL) takes 8h 15m.
What does the Sydney to Kuala Lumpur flight path pass over?
Central Australian outback (Simpson Desert fringes), Timor Sea, Indonesian archipelago including Sumatra and the Strait of Malacca