Asia & the Pacific



If you’ve ever wondered what all the fuss over the window seat is about, check out Virgin Australia’s Instagram account.

Virgin Australia in Sydney.

Virgin Australia in Sydney. Image by Aero Icarus / CC BY-SA 2.0

The Australian airline has been showcasing traveller snaps of iconic Australian destinations taken from the window seats of Virgin planes. The results are breathtaking, to say the least.

Travellers have responded enthusiastically to the airline’s call for photos, uploading stunning images of iconic Sydney Harbour, Uluru and the Gold Coast, as well as images showing the vast expanses of the Gulf of Carpentaria, outback Australia and farm lands. The campaign has proved incredibly popular, with the most dramatic images garnering thousands of likes and shares. However, be warned: hours of your life could be lost on this Instagram account, not to mention the thousands of dollars you spend on unplanned plane tickets…

The Mitchell River delta on the Gulf of Carpentaria, Queensland.

The Mitchell River delta on the Gulf of Carpentaria, Queensland. Image by Feral Arts / CC BY 2.0

Inspired? Your best opportunities for capturing the perfect aerial shot will likely occur when the plane begins to bank, just before landing or right after taking off – have your camera ready! Turn the flash off – nothing ruins a good photo like a reflected flash in the window. Pop your camera (or phone) close to and parallel with the window, but don’t lean it up against the glass – the movement of the plane will blur your image. And, finally, it helps to fly over somewhere scenic!