Jetstar passenger's breathtaking spot from window of Bali flight
However, every now and then, something happens mid-flight that turns an ordinary journey into an unforgettable one. Such was the case for a Sydney woman earlier this month, who flew to Bali on a Jetstar flight on July 16.
She was treated to an unexpected yet welcome surprise as the aircraft flew over the Northern Territory, en route to the popular tourist hotspot about three hours into the journey. Hundreds of kilometres west of Alice Springs, passengers in window seats were instructed to look out the window.
Their view? Australia's sacred red centrepiece — Uluru, unmistakable even from thousands of feet in the air. The woman admitted she'd never experienced anything quite like it on board a flight, and a spokesperson for Jetstar shared with Yahoo why pilots will often take the special initiative.
"Their spontaneous commentary isn't scripted; it's genuine and often adds an unexpected highlight to the trip," they said. "We're proud of the enthusiasm our pilots show, not just for flying, but for connecting people with the places they're travelling to."
The spokesperson said that from pointing out iconic landmarks to sharing regional insights mid-air, these "thoughtful touches reflect the pride and passion" the team bring to the journey.
What other Australian landmarks are visible from the air?
They revealed what other incredible, uniquely Australian landmarks jetsetters can see from the air.
Travellers flying from Sydney to Bali or Melbourne to Darwin may catch a glimpse of Uluru as they cross the Northern Territory. Those heading from Melbourne to Cairns could see the shimmering expanse of the Great Barrier Reef off the Queensland coast, while passengers travelling between Cairns and Adelaide might pass over the rugged beauty of South Australia's Flinders Ranges.
Sad theories emerge as popular Bali tourist spot destroyed
Travellers warned as deadly disease causes alarm in Bali
'Horrible' reality millions face every time they board a flight
A flight from Hobart to Adelaide can offer views of Victoria's famous 12 Apostles, and those flying from Melbourne to Canberra often cross the Brindabella Range in New South Wales. The route from Melbourne to Sydney may pass over the alpine ski fields, while the journey from Hobart to Sydney can reveal the peaks of the Snowy Mountains.
And for sports enthusiasts flying into Melbourne on a northerly approach, you might spot the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) just before landing.
Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.
You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
21 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Solo 4WD traveller reveals 'confronting reality' of notorious Aussie road
A 4WD driver who braved a notorious stretch of road in the outback alone is urging Australians not to get swept up in the rising popularity of 4WD holidays unless they truly understand what one entails. After months of building up the courage to drive the infamous Gibb River Road in WA's Kimberley Region, a 660-kilometre dirt track with the reputation of being a 'vehicle wrecker', Jade Nicolle, 44, admitted to Yahoo News there were moments the "confronting reality" of being alone in the Aussie wilderness almost got the better of her. This was definitely the case when she drove out to Wunnamurra Gorge at the start of the month. Despite asking for advice from station staff at Mount Elizabeth, and being reassured that her vehicle and beginner 4WD skills would be enough for the journey, she quickly found herself in over her head — almost literally. "It very quickly became apparent that there was probably a difference in the definition of what a standard track was. I don't know why I didn't turn around and go home," Jade told Yahoo, explaining the terrain was rugged and unpredictable, and the incline steep and ever-changing. "I was terrified, my Garmin watch kept telling me to relax because it was picking up that I was so distressed," she said. "The sun was in my face, and the dust was all over my windscreen. I could barely see because in many areas the roads point upwards and you're doing rock climbing, I had to drive with my head out the window." "It took me an hour to drive seven and a half kilometres." The 'confronting reality' abundantly clear to solo 4WD driver In the moments when Jade was steering white-knuckled along the track, she realised it was down to her to get herself and her car out in one piece. "It does become very confronting when you're a solo traveller, and you're the only car on the road, and you're faced with the reality that if you do something wrong and you break your car, then your holiday is potentially over, or you could be in trouble," she told Yahoo. "I genuinely contemplated just pulling the car over and walking the 12km back," she confessed. However, chose against it as she didn't want to block the road for any other drivers eager to make the journey. The dangers of solo travelling in the outback were apparent when German backpacker Caroline Wilga, 26, went missing for 11 nights following a vehicle accident. Caroline was later found by a driver and airlifted to hospital, with police explaining she survived by drinking from puddles and sheltering in a cave. 🌶️ Caravanning couple travel Australia thanks to OnlyFans 😲 Travelling couple stunned by free detail at servos during 4WD trip 🧐 4WDs making 'dangerous' mistake on Aussie roads The one thing 'mandatory' for Aussie 4WD holiday Jade was relieved to reach Wunnamurra Gorge, which she claims was "totally worth it", and return back to the highway without any major vehicle damage. Despite it being a moment of pride from the trip, she said she "wouldn't do it again", content that it was a once-in-a-lifetime moment. When Yahoo News questioned what she'd do differently, she instead highlighted the one thing that was her lifeline. She urged anyone eager to follow in her footsteps to ensure they have one thing. "In my eyes, a UHF is mandatory," she said. Ultra-High-Frequency radios allow vehicles to communicate with one another in the outback, and Jade claims having one not only helped ease her mind, but it also was exceptionally practical. "For instance, if I've got a caravan coming up behind me, I can contact it and say, caravan travelling westbound on Gibb River Road. This is the silver Navara in front of you. I can see that you want to overtake. I'll let you know when it's clear and you can get past," she explained. Jade isn't the only long-distance driver who has found a UHF hugely beneficially. In Feburary, truckie Ben was caught behind a caravanner who quickly contacted him on the radio to let him know whenever he wanted to overtake, he would slow down to make the process more efficient. The UHF radio was also used between a driver and a caravanner in a separate incident in March, to notify a caravanner that his vehicle was swaying on the road. Despite having moments of realisation that Jade had to get herself out of potentially dangerous situations, she told Yahoo the journey was incredible, and Aussies along the way are more than willing to lend a helping hand. "I was technically travelling alone, but I have never been alone. People you meet on the road are spectacular... the Aussie spirit is incredible," she said. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Yahoo
21 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Photo shows 'amazing' moment with 'sneaky' crocodile snapped on remote Aussie river
When you live in the 'Top End' of Australia, it's amazing what you can see on your work break. That was the case for photographer and crocodile expert David White who takes tourists on cruises on the Daintree River in Far North Queensland. But between boat rides this week he managed to stalk a young and ambitious crocodile who happened upon a solid meal before taking it on a more than seven kilometre ride. David was on the smaller of his two zero emissions cruise boats with his camera gear and drone when he spotted the truly wild scene. "It's electric and nice and quiet," he told Yahoo News about his boat. It allowed him to get quite close to the crocodile, affectionately known as Nate, when he poached the dead feral pig from another male's territory. A stunning image captured the moment the brave crocodile claimed his prize under a ceiling of mangroves. Reason crocs flock to secret Aussie beach covered in footprints Amazing crocodile photo highlights $800,000 problem in outback Warning of invasive predator 'boom' as rangers work 'around the clock' "He's not the dominant male here, that's Scarface – he is our boss crocodile. And Scarface has another boss at each end of his territory ... but you got this young Nate, a sneaky one, who sneaks around behind their backs and when no one is looking he adds to the gene pool," David explained. "I followed him and he just kept on going. He went a long way – seven kilometres down the river. I had to get back to do another cruise, but he kept on going. "He took it through Scarface's territory, through another male's territory ... It was amazing." At one point, a female crocodile tried to join the party, David recalled, as it followed along hoping to get a piece of the action, but was ultimately denied by Nate who had a single-minded focus. "Crocs can't always eat their piggies straight away because their teeth are sort of cone shaped," David explained. They're great for catching, piercing and throttling prey but not quite so good for chewing. "So they've got to marinate it a bit, so he took it down somewhere secretive, up a little creek I guess, to let it soften up a bit". "One less feral pig," David said when sharing the scene online this week. Feral pigs a major part of Australia's invasive pest problem This feral pig was dead when the crocodile found it, and it's unclear what killed it. But the species doesn't have to worry about too much as they plunder their adopted environment, causing an estimated $100 million in economic damage to Australia's agricultural sector every year. Saltwater crocs love eating feral pigs, says Deakin University ecologist Euan Ritchie. While that's good news, we don't exactly know how useful they are at helping reduce feral pig numbers. "Pigs and crocodiles live in the fast and slow lanes, respectively," he wrote in The Conversation last year, referring to the habits and breeding rates of both animals, in particular the prolific breeding of pigs. "This means feral pigs can endure relatively high predation rates and still persist in ecosystems in large numbers." Speaking to Yahoo News last week, Professor Ritchie lamented the persistent ecological issues posed by a slew of invasive species on Australia's landscape, of which feral pigs are one of the very worst. "In northern Australia ... some areas have feral donkeys, feral horses, feral cattle, feral water buffalo and feral pigs, all in the same area," he said. "In arid Australia, feral camels, feral donkeys, feral horses, feral cattle, feral goats and introduced European rabbits may all co-occur."


Fox News
4 hours ago
- Fox News
The best food to be found at US airports, according to frequent travelers
America's busiest airports are quietly becoming unexpected food destinations — and smart travelers know just where to grab the best bite before takeoff. Airport lounges have elevated their food offerings even as they remain pricey and require memberships or a certain credit card or frequent-flier status. For the average traveler, regular airport restaurants are still costly, partly due to real estate costs and the challenge of getting staff and ingredients through security, Gary Leff, a Texas-based travel industry expert, told Fox News Digital. They operate in tight spaces and are run by a single concession operator, leading to an "incredible sameness," Leff added. "It's not simple to run a restaurant inside an airport," noting it can be a "recipe for bad food." There is one exception, he said. That would be Tortas Frontera, a Mexican restaurant at Chicago O'Hare International Airport in Illinois. "I even choose to connect through Chicago rather than another hub sometimes for it," Leff said. Tortas Frontera by Rick Bayless, the well-known chef, is often named online as a favorite of frequent flyers; one Reddit user raved it offered the "best airport food I've ever had." Other favorites named include O'Hare's Publican Tavern, Wicker Park and Gold Coast Dogs. And while Leff thinks One Flew South, a southern and sushi fusion restaurant at Georgia's Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), is "overrated," many tout that as their favorite flying pit stop. "The most outstanding meal I have EVER had in an airport!" one woman wrote in a recent Yelp review. ATL, which also houses the beloved Chicken and Beer, owned by rapper Ludacris, and the soul food institution Paschal's, won first place in the 2025 Food & Wine Global Tastemakers Awards for U.S. airport dining. Another southern hub with sought-after food is Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) in Texas. "Dallas-Fort Worth is a massive airport with numerous dining options," said Melanie Musson, an insurance expert from Montana who frequently travels with her husband and six kids. "They have several Texas barbecue options, so even when you're just stopping for a layover, you can get a taste of Texas." Justin Goldsberry, a business owner and seasoned traveler from New Jersey, also said he loves traveling through DFW for its barbecue and seafood. "Since seafood is my favorite, I'm always on the lookout," Goldsberry said. "Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen delivers every time." Musson's other favorite place to stop is Root Down at Denver International Airport (DEN) in Colorado, where she and her family have been going for years. "But Root Down isn't the only great eating establishment at DEN," Musson said. "It offers a wide array of chain restaurants and several local options." Reddit users also say they appreciate the variety at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) in California. "SFO is a dream for anyone who loves Asian food," Maricel Gentile, owner of Maricel's Kitchen in New Jersey, told Fox News Digital. Gentile frequently travels for culinary events and often gets a bowl of udon or miso soup from Japanese restaurant Wakaba. "It's simple, warm and soulful, perfect before a long flight," Gentile said. After SFO and her hometown Newark Liberty International Airport, Gentile said she enjoys eating at Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA) in Washington. SEA is home to Floret, a vegetarian spot that one recent Yelp reviewer said was "hands down … the best/cutest restaurant" she ever visited in an airport, and Beecher's Handmade Cheese, another favorite on the Reddit channels. Gentile also recommended the fried chicken at The Country Cat at Oregon's Portland International Airport (PDX). Employees at travel site The Points Guy also recommended PDX as well as Salt Lake City International Airport in Utah, according to its managing editor, Clint Henderson, in part because they're reasonable. Both prohibit restaurants and shops from charging more than they would outside the airport. Henderson thinks dining at New York's LaGuardia Airport has improved lately. "LaGuardia's Delta Terminal C is now full of some of my favorite restaurants, including Calista Taverna, Prime, Soleil Brasserie, Chuko Ramen and, of course, Bubby's," he told Fox News Digital. "Airports have come a long, long way over the past few years with airports investing heavily in food and beverage offerings."