The right side wins because the North American crossing delivers a long, varied stretch of dramatic terrain—Great Lakes, Rockies, Great Salt Lake—while the left side's payoff is limited to the brief, if spectacular, Sydney Harbour view on landing. Both sides share the same many hours of empty Pacific Ocean in between, so the more sustained continental scenery tips the balance.
Flown YUL to SYD? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Montreal to Sydney is 9,956 miles (16,023 km), a flight of about 19 hours 10 minutes.
The route's midpoint lies in the remote central South Pacific, roughly 800 miles south of Hawaii, an empty stretch of open ocean with no islands in sight. Later the great-circle path passes within view of Samoa, Fiji, and New Caledonia before the descent toward the New South Wales coast near Sydney.
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from YUL
RIGHTLeaving YUL on runway 24 and banking onto its westbound track, the right side looks back over Montreal's skyline, Mount Royal, and the St. Lawrence River during the climb. That same side stays scenic for hours as the transcontinental track crosses the Great Lakes, the Rocky Mountains, and the Great Salt Lake before the coastline gives way to the Pacific.
Landing at SYD
LEFTArriving into Sydney from over the Tasman Sea, the approach curves the aircraft so the left side faces Sydney Harbour just before touchdown, with the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, and CBD skyline all visible. The right side mostly faces open ocean and the southern beaches, which are far less distinctive.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Montreal International Dorval (YUL) to Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Montreal to Sydney. The right side wins because the North American crossing delivers a long, varied stretch of dramatic terrain—Great Lakes, Rockies, Great Salt Lake—while the left side's payoff is limited to the brief, if spectacular, Sydney Harbour view on landing. Both sides share the same many hours of empty Pacific Ocean in between, so the more sustained continental scenery tips the balance.
What can I see during takeoff from Montreal International Dorval in Montreal?
During takeoff from Montreal International Dorval (YUL), sit on the Right side for the best views. Leaving YUL on runway 24 and banking onto its westbound track, the right side looks back over Montreal's skyline, Mount Royal, and the St. Lawrence River during the climb. That same side stays scenic for hours as the transcontinental track crosses the Great Lakes, the Rocky Mountains, and the Great Salt Lake before the coastline gives way to the Pacific. Notable sights include: St. Lawrence River and Montreal skyline, Mount Royal, the Great Lakes, Rocky Mountains and Great Salt Lake.
What can I see when landing at Kingsford Smith International Airport in Sydney?
When landing at Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD), sit on the Left side for the best views. Arriving into Sydney from over the Tasman Sea, the approach curves the aircraft so the left side faces Sydney Harbour just before touchdown, with the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, and CBD skyline all visible. The right side mostly faces open ocean and the southern beaches, which are far less distinctive. Notable sights include: Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, Sydney CBD skyline, Botany Bay.
How long is the flight from Montreal to Sydney?
The flight from Montreal International Dorval (YUL) to Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD) takes about 19 hours 10 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 9,956 miles (16,023 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Montreal to Sydney flight path pass over?
The route's midpoint lies in the remote central South Pacific, roughly 800 miles south of Hawaii, an empty stretch of open ocean with no islands in sight. Later the great-circle path passes within view of Samoa, Fiji, and New Caledonia before the descent toward the New South Wales coast near Sydney.