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HNL → MEL
Which side of the plane to sit from Daniel K Inouye International Airport (Honolulu) to Melbourne International Airport (Melbourne)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side provides the most iconic views during the departure from Honolulu, including a direct line of sight to Diamond Head and Waikiki, plus a high probability of seeing the Australian coastline first during arrival.
Diamond Head & Waikiki
Unmatched aerial views of Oahu's most famous landmark and the Honolulu skyline immediately after takeoff.
Line Islands
Potential views of remote coral atolls such as Palmyra or Teraina scattered in the vast Pacific.
Pacific Sunrise
On many flight schedules, the left side faces the rising sun as you approach the Australian continent.
NSW Coastline
The first sightings of the Australian mainland, often featuring the rugged cliffs and beaches of New South Wales.
Victorian Alps
During the descent into Melbourne, you may see the southern reaches of the Great Dividing Range.
Sit on the left for the HNL departure to ensure you see the Waikiki coast. Use a window map to identify small atolls during the first 3 hours of flight. For arrivals, the left side is better if the flight path tracks south along the coast toward Gippsland.
Pearl Harbor
A clear view of the historic naval base and the USS Arizona Memorial shortly after lifting off.
Waianae Mountains
The dramatic, jagged ridges of western Oahu as the plane turns toward the southwest.
Pacific Sunset
If on an afternoon departure, the right side offers a front-row seat to the sun setting over the open ocean.
Melbourne CBD
Excellent views of the city skyline and the MCG if the aircraft approaches from the north or west.
Port Phillip Bay
Wide-angle views of the bay and the Mornington Peninsula during the final landing sequence.
The right side is ideal for those who prefer evening views, as it avoids the direct morning glare when arriving in Australia. On approach to MEL, if the wind is from the north, the right side often gets a spectacular view of the downtown skyscrapers. Keep your window shade down during the mid-flight crossing to avoid the harsh equatorial sun.
Distance: 8,875 km (5,515 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 10 hrs 26 min
Departure: HNL (21.32062, -157.924228)
Arrival: MEL (-37.673302, 144.843002)
Route Type: International
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