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SFO → MEL
Which side of the plane to sit from San Francisco International Airport (San Francisco) to Melbourne International Airport (Melbourne)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers a more consistent view of urban landmarks during departure and scenic coastal features upon arrival in Australia.
Search flights from SFO to MEL
San Francisco Skyline
Unmatched views of the Bay Bridge and downtown skyscrapers during the initial climb.
Polynesian Atolls
Occasional sightings of remote Pacific islands and coral formations mid-flight.
Oceanic Sunrise
Witness the sun rising over the Pacific horizon after crossing the International Date Line.
Gippsland Coast
The dramatic shoreline of eastern Victoria as you transition from ocean to land.
Melbourne CBD
Aerial perspectives of the city center on the final approach into Melbourne.
Choose a left-side window seat for the iconic San Francisco skyline view shortly after takeoff. As the flight approaches Melbourne, you will likely see the rugged coast of Gippsland and the Mornington Peninsula. Note that much of the 15+ hour flight is over the dark Pacific, so the departure and arrival segments are the primary scenic windows. Morning arrivals offer the best light for the Australian coast.
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Golden Gate Bridge
A classic view of the bridge and the Marin Headlands shortly after lifting off from SFO.
Farallon Islands
The rugged, rocky outcrops of the National Wildlife Refuge visible in the Pacific.
Cloudscapes
Dynamic weather patterns and massive tropical cloud formations over the equator.
Great Dividing Range
The rolling hills and mountain ridges of eastern Australia during the descent.
Victorian Heartland
Green pastures and agricultural mosaics of the Australian countryside near the airport.
The right side is prime for spotting the Golden Gate Bridge if the aircraft performs a standard westward departure. This side also offers a cooler, shaded cabin for much of the southbound journey. Keep your eyes peeled for the Great Dividing Range about 40 minutes before landing, as the terrain turns from blue ocean to vibrant green hills. In winter, you may see snow-capped peaks in the distance.
Book Hotels in MelbourneDistance: 12,654 km (7,863 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 14 hrs 53 min
Departure: SFO (37.61899948120117, -122.375)
Arrival: MEL (-37.673302, 144.843002)
Route Type: International
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