About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD) to Los Angeles International (LAX)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Sydney to Los Angeles. Right side wins both departure and arrival. At SYD you get Sydney Harbour and the iconic city views on the climbing turn, and at LAX you get the Palos Verdes coastline and Santa Monica Bay on approach. The transpacific cruise itself is mostly open ocean regardless of side.
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 departures on runway 16R head southeast over Botany Bay, then bank right (northwest) toward the Pacific. The right side captures Sydney Harbour, the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, and the CBD skyline as the aircraft turns. Left side faces inland toward suburban sprawl. Notable sights include: Sydney Harbour and Heads, Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, CBD skyline and Darling Harbour, Bondi Beach and the Eastern Suburbs coastline.
What can I see when landing at Los Angeles International in Los Angeles?
When landing at Los Angeles International (LAX), sit on the Right side for the best views. LAX arrivals from the west on runway 24R approach over the Pacific and touch down heading east. The right side faces south, giving clear views of the Palos Verdes Peninsula, Santa Monica Bay, and the LA coastal sprawl. Left side looks north toward Santa Monica and Malibu but is less dramatic on this heading. Notable sights include: Palos Verdes Peninsula and cliffs, Santa Monica Bay coastline, Los Angeles coastal urban grid, Inglewood and SoFi Stadium.
How long is the flight from Sydney to Los Angeles?
The flight from Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD) to Los Angeles International (LAX) takes Approximately 14 to 15 hours nonstop.
What does the Sydney to Los Angeles flight path pass over?
The great circle route from SYD to LAX tracks northeast across the Tasman Sea, passes north of New Zealand's North Island (visible distantly on right side shortly after departure if weather is clear), then crosses the vast central South Pacific with no land for roughly 5,000 miles. The route passes north of French Polynesia including the Tuamotu Archipelago and approaches the Hawaiian Islands chain — Oahu and Maui may be visible as small dark volcanic masses on the horizon to the left side roughly 2 to 3 hours before LAX. The final approach crosses the California coast north of Los Angeles.