Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Sydney to Santiago. While takeoff offers good Blue Mountains views, the landing approach into Santiago provides more dramatic and sustained mountain scenery. The Andes approach is visually superior and more memorable for a 12+ hour flight.

During takeoff from Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD), sit on the Left side for the best views. SYD typically departs runways 07L/07R (eastbound) or 16L/16R (northbound). Left seats on eastbound departures capture the Blue Mountains escarpment rising inland, while northbound departures show the Hawkesbury River valley and Central Coast. Left side maximizes both options. Notable sights include: Blue Mountains (Great Dividing Range), Hawkesbury River valley, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, Sydney Harbour (receding behind).

When landing at Arturo Merino Benitez International (SCL), sit on the Right side for the best views. SCL approaches from the west over the Andes foothills. Right seats on westbound approaches capture the Maipo River valley and the Andes cordillera rising dramatically. The mountain views are more pronounced and sustained on descent into the western approach corridor. Notable sights include: Andes Mountains (Cordillera Principal), Maipo River valley, Santiago urban sprawl, pre-Andean foothills.

The flight from Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD) to Arturo Merino Benitez International (SCL) takes Approximately 12 hours 15 minutes.

Flight crosses the Tasman Sea (featureless ocean for ~2,000 nm), passes south of New Zealand's South Island (if visible during daylight), then crosses the South Pacific toward the Chilean coast. Approach to South America brings views of the Atacama Desert's northern reaches and the Andes cordillera rising from the Pacific coastal plain. No significant landmarks visible over open ocean; the entire midpoint is water.