Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Amsterdam to Johannesburg. The right side wins at both ends of the flight — Amsterdam's canal ring on departure and Johannesburg's CBD on approach. Over the long overwater and Saharan sections the view is similar on both sides, but the right side delivers the two most memorable moments of the journey.

During takeoff from Schiphol (AMS), sit on the Right side for the best views. Schiphol's primary departure runways (18R/36L and 18C/36C) mean southbound departures track southeast over Amsterdam city center and the IJ river. The right side gives you a clear view over central Amsterdam, the canal ring, and the Amstel river as you climb out. The left side faces west toward the flat polder landscape and North Sea coast. Notable sights include: Amsterdam canal ring (UNESCO World Heritage grachtengordel), the IJ river and Amsterdam Centraal station waterfront, Amstel river threading south through the suburbs, Almere new town across the IJmeer to the east.

When landing at Johannesburg International (JNB), sit on the Right side for the best views. OR Tambo (formerly Johannesburg International) sits east of the city, and aircraft typically approach from the east or northeast on runway 03L/03R or 21. On a northeasterly approach, the right side faces northwest toward Johannesburg's CBD skyline and the Witwatersrand ridge. The left side looks out over the flat East Rand townships and industrial zones. Notable sights include: Johannesburg CBD skyline (Ponte Tower, Carlton Centre visible), the Witwatersrand ridge running east-west, Soweto township to the southwest visible as a vast low-density urban spread, the N3 and N12 highway corridors threading through the highveld.

The flight from Schiphol (AMS) to Johannesburg International (JNB) takes Approximately 10 to 11 hours.

The route tracks southeast over Germany and Austria, then crosses the Adriatic and the length of Italy or the eastern Mediterranean depending on routing. Over North Africa the flight crosses the Sahara Desert — vast sand seas including the Libyan erg and the Tibesti massif in Chad are visible on clear days as enormous dune fields and dark volcanic massifs. The Congo Basin rainforest appears as an unbroken dark green canopy for several hours. The Zambezi River and the Okavango Delta region in Botswana may be visible as silver river threads and wetland patches before the terrain rises onto the South African Highveld approaching Johannesburg.