Sydney to Los Angeles: what the SYD to LAX corridor looks like
- Departure
- Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, Sydney, Australia
- Arrival
- Los Angeles International Airport, Los Angeles, the United States
- Great-circle distance
- 12,061 km (6,512 nm)
- Typical airborne time
- 14h 31m
- Usual cruise levels
- FL320 to FL410
- Initial track
- northeast bound
Route overview
The SYD to LAX sector connects Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport in Sydney, Australia, with Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles, the United States. Measured along the great circle the two airports are 12,061 km apart, roughly 6,512 nautical miles, which is close to 14h 31m in the air before winds and routing are taken into account. The initial track is northeast bound, and the middle of the route sits in equatorial latitudes.
Crossing the Intertropical Convergence Zone
Along the way the track passes over the equator, the open Atlantic and the open Pacific. The equatorial part of this corridor crosses the Intertropical Convergence Zone. Storm activity there is convective, which means it is concentrated in cells the crew can see on radar and route around. Time of day matters more than season: early departures cross before daytime heating builds the largest cells.
Cruise altitudes on this sector
Ultra long sectors begin cruise lower, often near FL320 because of the fuel load, and finish two or three step climbs higher, up to FL400 or FL410. Choice of level matters because turbulence is layered: a change of two or three thousand feet often puts the aircraft into calmer air, and that is one of the first adjustments a crew will request.
Seasonal pattern
The convergence zone shifts north and south with the seasons rather than disappearing, so time of day matters more than month. Morning departures cross before the largest cells build.
Flying this route with less worry
It is worth remembering that turbulence of the kind found on the SYD to LAX track is uncomfortable and entirely within what the aircraft is built for. Wings are designed to flex, the flight is planned around the forecast, and the crew adjusts level or track when it helps. The live forecast above shows the current picture for this corridor so there are fewer surprises on the day.