The right side wins on both ends of the flight: a coastal departure past Botany Bay and Royal National Park, followed by one of the most visually spectacular mountain-and-lake approaches in commercial aviation at Queenstown. The three-hour Tasman crossing itself is featureless ocean on either side, so the terrain-heavy takeoff and landing decide the winner.
Flight Path
Open Tasman Sea with no land visible for most of the crossing; the Southern Alps and Fiordland peaks of New Zealand's South Island become the first landfall as the descent into Queenstown begins.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from SYD
RIGHTSydney's southerly departure runway sends the aircraft out over Botany Bay and the Cronulla beaches, with the sandstone cliffs of Royal National Park sliding by as the plane turns toward the Tasman Sea. The left side only shows the flatter western suburbs and hazy Blue Mountains foothills in the far distance.
Landing at ZQN
RIGHTArriving into Queenstown, the approach threads through the Wakatipu Basin with the jagged, often snow-dusted Remarkables range dominating the right side of the aircraft as it descends. Lake Wakatipu's turquoise water and the town itself also unfold below, making this one of the most dramatic commercial landings in the world.
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 Queenstown (ZQN)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Sydney to Queenstown International. The right side wins on both ends of the flight: a coastal departure past Botany Bay and Royal National Park, followed by one of the most visually spectacular mountain-and-lake approaches in commercial aviation at Queenstown. The three-hour Tasman crossing itself is featureless ocean on either side, so the terrain-heavy takeoff and landing decide the winner.
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 southerly departure runway sends the aircraft out over Botany Bay and the Cronulla beaches, with the sandstone cliffs of Royal National Park sliding by as the plane turns toward the Tasman Sea. The left side only shows the flatter western suburbs and hazy Blue Mountains foothills in the far distance. Notable sights include: Botany Bay, Cronulla beaches, Royal National Park coastal cliffs, Wollongong escarpment in the distance.
What can I see when landing at Queenstown in Queenstown International?
When landing at Queenstown (ZQN), sit on the Right side for the best views. Arriving into Queenstown, the approach threads through the Wakatipu Basin with the jagged, often snow-dusted Remarkables range dominating the right side of the aircraft as it descends. Lake Wakatipu's turquoise water and the town itself also unfold below, making this one of the most dramatic commercial landings in the world. Notable sights include: The Remarkables mountain range, Lake Wakatipu, Coronet Peak, Shotover River gorge.
How long is the flight from Sydney to Queenstown International?
The flight from Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD) to Queenstown (ZQN) takes 3h 15m.
What does the Sydney to Queenstown International flight path pass over?
Open Tasman Sea with no land visible for most of the crossing; the Southern Alps and Fiordland peaks of New Zealand's South Island become the first landfall as the descent into Queenstown begins.