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SFO → SYD
Which side of the plane to sit from San Francisco International Airport (San Francisco) to Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport (Sydney)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side offers superior views of the San Francisco skyline and the Golden Gate Bridge upon departure, plus a more comfortable lighting profile across the Pacific.
Golden Gate Bridge
The most iconic view of the bridge and the Marin Headlands as the plane banks west toward the ocean.
San Francisco Skyline
A breathtaking perspective of the Salesforce Tower, Transamerica Pyramid, and the dense urban core of the city.
Alcatraz Island
The infamous prison island is often visible in the middle of the bay shortly after the landing gear retracts.
NSW Northern Beaches
Vibrant views of the New South Wales coastline, including the golden sands of Manly and Curl Curl during the descent.
The right side (Starboard) is generally best for the SFO departure, providing the classic 'city view.' Because this flight crosses the equator and travels southwest, the right side faces north, which helps minimize direct sun glare and cabin heat during the long daylight hours of the trans-Pacific crossing.
SF Peninsula
Aerial views of Silicon Valley, the Santa Cruz Mountains, and the coastal redwood forests immediately after takeoff.
Deep Pacific
Expansive views of the Pacific Ocean and the chance to spot remote island chains like Kiribati depending on the flight path.
Sydney Harbour
A high probability of seeing the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge if the aircraft performs a northern approach.
Botany Bay
Clear views of the historic bay and the Kurnell Peninsula during the final moments of the descent into SYD.
The left side is the preferred choice for the 'Sydney Arrival' lottery; if the winds dictate a landing from the north (Runway 16L/R), you will have a front-row seat to the city skyline. Note that these flights are mostly over water, so the departure and arrival sequences are the primary visual windows.
Distance: 11,950 km (7,425 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 14 hrs 4 min
Departure: SFO (37.61899948120117, -122.375)
Arrival: SYD (-33.94609832763672, 151.177001953125)
Route Type: International
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