The right side wins on both ends of the flight: a rare, dramatic Sydney Harbour departure and a Los Angeles arrival with mountains and skyline in view, while the 12+ hour Pacific crossing offers essentially identical open-ocean scenery on either side.
Flight Path
The route crosses thousands of miles of open South Pacific Ocean with no land in sight for most of the flight, passing well east of Fiji and Samoa and near the Line Islands close to the equator before making landfall on the Southern California coast.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from SYD
RIGHTSydney's northerly departure plan sends aircraft climbing out over the harbour before banking right toward the Pacific, putting the Harbour Bridge, Opera House, and CBD skyline directly below right-side windows during the turn. Left-side passengers mostly see the western suburbs and Blue Mountains foothills receding into haze.
Landing at LAX
RIGHTOn LAX's typical west-flow arrival, aircraft cross the LA basin from the east before touching down, so the north-facing right side gets clear views of the San Gabriel Mountains and the downtown Los Angeles skyline. The left side mostly overlooks flatter South Bay suburbs with less distinctive scenery.
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 Los Angeles International (LAX)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Sydney to Los Angeles. The right side wins on both ends of the flight: a rare, dramatic Sydney Harbour departure and a Los Angeles arrival with mountains and skyline in view, while the 12+ hour Pacific crossing offers essentially identical open-ocean scenery on either 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. Sydney's northerly departure plan sends aircraft climbing out over the harbour before banking right toward the Pacific, putting the Harbour Bridge, Opera House, and CBD skyline directly below right-side windows during the turn. Left-side passengers mostly see the western suburbs and Blue Mountains foothills receding into haze. Notable sights include: Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, Sydney CBD skyline, Manly and the northern beaches 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. On LAX's typical west-flow arrival, aircraft cross the LA basin from the east before touching down, so the north-facing right side gets clear views of the San Gabriel Mountains and the downtown Los Angeles skyline. The left side mostly overlooks flatter South Bay suburbs with less distinctive scenery. Notable sights include: San Gabriel Mountains, Downtown Los Angeles skyline, Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles basin neighborhoods.
How long is the flight from Sydney to Los Angeles?
The flight from Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD) to Los Angeles International (LAX) takes 13h 35m.
What does the Sydney to Los Angeles flight path pass over?
The route crosses thousands of miles of open South Pacific Ocean with no land in sight for most of the flight, passing well east of Fiji and Samoa and near the Line Islands close to the equator before making landfall on the Southern California coast.