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BME → PHE
Which side of the plane to sit from Broome International Airport (Broome) to Port Hedland International Airport (Port Hedland)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side offers a front-row seat to the spectacular meeting point of the Great Sandy Desert and the Indian Ocean, featuring the iconic Eighty Mile Beach and the industrial scale of Port Hedland.
Eighty Mile Beach
A breathtaking 220km stretch of white sand and turquoise water that serves as a major migratory bird habitat.
Indian Ocean Turquoise
Vivid gradients of blue and green water visibility over the shallow continental shelf and coral reefs.
Port Hedland Iron Ore Hub
Massive bulk carrier ships queued in the ocean and the complex industrial infrastructure of the world's largest export port.
Coastal Mangroves
Intricate tidal creek systems and mangrove forests that create fractal-like patterns along the muddy estuaries.
The right side is the undisputed winner for coastal scenery. For the best photography, choose a seat behind the wing to capture the contrast of the red sand against the blue water. On the descent into Port Hedland, look for the massive red dust clouds near the processing plants and the giant ships in the harbor.
Great Sandy Desert Edge
Aerial views of the vast, red longitudinal dunes that characterize one of Australia's largest desert regions.
Inland Salt Pans
Glittering white salt crusts and seasonal claypans that create stark geometric patterns against the red earth.
Roebuck Plains
Expansive floodplains and grasslands south of Broome that transform from green to gold depending on the season.
Sit on the left for morning flights to avoid the harsh glare of the sun reflecting off the Indian Ocean. It is the better side for viewing the intricate 'veins' of dry creek beds and the deep red hues of the Pilbara hinterland as you approach Port Hedland.
Distance: 465 km (289 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 47 min
Departure: BME (-17.944700241088867, 122.23200225830078)
Arrival: PHE (-20.3777999878, 118.625999451)
Route Type: Domestic
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