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MEL → PVG
Which side of the plane to sit from Melbourne International Airport (Melbourne) to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (Shanghai)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side offers a superior vantage point for Australia's iconic Red Centre, including potential views of Uluru, and provides better lighting conditions for photography on this northbound daytime or overnight journey.
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Uluru & Kata Tjuta
The most iconic view of the trip; these massive red monoliths are often visible roughly 2.5 to 3 hours after departure.
Lake Eyre Basin
The lowest point in Australia, appearing as a massive, shimmering white salt crust from 38,000 feet.
Philippine Volcanoes
Fly over the mountainous spine of the Philippines, featuring several active volcanic peaks.
Taiwanese Alps
Catch glimpses of the jagged 3,000-meter peaks of Taiwan's Central Mountain Range.
Donghai Bridge
One of the world's longest cross-sea bridges, visible just before touchdown at Pudong.
The right side is essential for seeing Uluru; check the flight path on your screen about 1,200km into the journey. For overnight flights, you will experience a spectacular sunrise over the Pacific or East China Sea. During the final approach to PVG, the right side typically overlooks the massive cargo ports and the East China Sea coastline.
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Great Victoria Desert
Witness the vast, undulating red sand dunes and ancient salt lakes of the Australian interior.
Kimberley Coastline
View the rugged, fractured red cliffs of North Western Australia meeting the deep blue Timor Sea.
Palawan Archipelago
Spot the stunning limestone karsts and turquoise lagoons of the western Philippines.
Shanghai City Center
On specific landing patterns, get a distant view of the Lujiazui skyscrapers and the Bund.
Sit on the left for softer afternoon light if you are on a daytime flight, avoiding the direct glare of the sun. This side is also better for spotting the remote island chains of the South China Sea. If the flight arrives after dark, the left side often captures the sprawling neon grid of Shanghai's urban core during the descent.
Get eSIMs for Australia
Get eSIMs for ChinaDistance: 8,017 km (4,982 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 9 hrs 26 min
Departure: MEL (-37.673302, 144.843002)
Arrival: PVG (31.143400192260746, 121.80500030517578)
Route Type: International
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