CPT

Best window seat at Cape Town International

Which side of the plane?

Pick the window seat with the view. 13,500 routes answered — landmarks, coastlines and cities, wing by wing.

Taking offLEFT

Table Mountain, Lion's Head, Cape Town city bowl

LandingRIGHT

Table Mountain, Table Bay and Robben Island, Cape Town City Bowl

🛫 Taking Off from Cape Town (CPT)

Best sideLeft
WhyDeparting north on runway 01, the left side faces west toward Table Mountain, Lion's Head, and the Cape Town city bowl, with Table Bay and Robben Island beyond. The right side just shows the flatter Cape Flats and distant Hottentots Holland mountains, far less scenic.
Look forTable Mountain, Lion's Head, Cape Town city bowl, Table Bay with Robben Island
Left window seat view during takeoff from Cape Town (CPT) — Table Mountain, Lion's Head, Cape Town city bowl, Table Bay with Robben IslandLeft Side
Right window seat view during takeoff from Cape Town (CPT) — Table Mountain, Lion's Head, Cape Town city bowl, Table Bay with Robben IslandRight Side

🛬 Landing at Cape Town (CPT)

Best sideRight
WhyLanding on runway 19 means approaching from the north and flying south over the Cape Flats. Table Mountain, the City Bowl, and Table Bay sit off to the west, so they'll be visible out the right-side windows during the descent.
Look forTable Mountain, Table Bay and Robben Island (distant), Cape Town City Bowl, Cape Flats below the flight path
Left window seat view during landing at Cape Town (CPT) — Table Mountain, Table Bay and Robben Island (distant), Cape Town City Bowl, Cape Flats below the flight pathLeft Side
Right window seat view during landing at Cape Town (CPT) — Table Mountain, Table Bay and Robben Island (distant), Cape Town City Bowl, Cape Flats below the flight pathRight Side

Cape Town International is South Africa's third-busiest airport, with a modern single terminal complex handling both domestic and international traffic, and a long primary runway capable of accommodating wide-body long-haul aircraft.

⛰️ Elevation154 ft
🛫 Runways2 (01/19, 16/34)
✈️ HubSouth African Airways, FlySafair, Airlink

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About This Airport

Which side of the plane has the best views at Cape Town International (CPT)?

At Cape Town International in Cape Town: for takeoff, sit on the Left side; for landing, sit on the Right side. Notable views include: Table Mountain, Lion's Head, Cape Town city bowl, Table Bay with Robben Island.

What can I see during takeoff from Cape Town International in Cape Town?

When taking off from Cape Town International (CPT), sit on the Left side for the best views. Departing north on runway 01, the left side faces west toward Table Mountain, Lion's Head, and the Cape Town city bowl, with Table Bay and Robben Island beyond. The right side just shows the flatter Cape Flats and distant Hottentots Holland mountains, far less scenic. Notable sights include: Table Mountain, Lion's Head, Cape Town city bowl, Table Bay with Robben Island.

What can I see when landing at Cape Town International in Cape Town?

When landing at Cape Town International (CPT), sit on the Right side for the best views. Landing on runway 19 means approaching from the north and flying south over the Cape Flats. Table Mountain, the City Bowl, and Table Bay sit off to the west, so they'll be visible out the right-side windows during the descent. Notable sights include: Table Mountain, Table Bay and Robben Island (distant), Cape Town City Bowl, Cape Flats below the flight path.

What factors affect the best window seat at Cape Town International?

The best window seat at Cape Town International (CPT) depends on several factors: the typical runway used for your departure or arrival, the geographic features around Cape Town (mountains, coastlines, city skylines), weather conditions, and time of day. Morning and evening flights often offer the best lighting for scenic views.