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HNL → SYD
Which side of the plane to sit from Daniel K Inouye International Airport (Honolulu) to Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport (Sydney)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side is widely considered superior because it offers the iconic 'Harbour Scenic' approach into Sydney, featuring the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, alongside a stunning departure over Waikiki.
Search flights from HNL to SYD
Diamond Head Crater
An immediate aerial view of the world-famous volcanic cone and the Waikiki shoreline upon departure from Honolulu.
The Doldrums
Witness the towering cumulonimbus clouds and unique atmospheric lighting of the Intertropical Convergence Zone near the equator.
Fiji Coastline
On specific flight paths, the eastern islands of Fiji or the main island of Viti Levu may be visible as emerald gems in the blue Pacific.
Sydney Opera House
The 'holy grail' of airline views; the left side typically looks directly down onto the Opera House during the standard approach into SYD.
Harbour Bridge
A breathtaking perspective of the 'Coathanger' bridge as the aircraft maneuvers through the Sydney basin for landing.
Book an 'A' seat for the best perspective. Most flights from HNL to SYD arrive in the morning or early afternoon; the sun will be on the left (East) for the first half of the trip, so keep your window shade down until you cross the equator to avoid glare. Use FlightRadar24 to see if 'Arrivals from the North' are in use, as this guarantees the harbour view.
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Pearl Harbor
A historic view of the USS Arizona Memorial and the naval fleet as the plane climbs out toward the west.
Waianae Mountains
The rugged, rain-carved ridges of Oahu's western coast provide a dramatic final look at Hawaii.
Lord Howe Island
If the flight path tracks slightly west, you may spot the dramatic peaks of Mount Gower rising from this UNESCO-listed crescent island.
Botany Bay
The site of Captain Cook's first landing in Australia, visible just before touchdown on the main north-south runways.
Blue Mountains
In the distance to the west, you can see the hazy eucalyptus-fueled blue silhouette of the Great Dividing Range.
The right side (K seats) is the 'cool' side for this southbound flight, as the afternoon sun will be on the opposite side, making for better photography of the open ocean and clouds without window glare. It is also the better side for viewing the Australian coastline if the plane enters the continent further north near Newcastle.
Book Hotels in SydneyDistance: 8,171 km (5,077 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 9 hrs 37 min
Departure: HNL (21.32062, -157.924228)
Arrival: SYD (-33.94609832763672, 151.177001953125)
Route Type: International
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