The right seat delivers the dramatic Table Mountain and Cape Peninsula panorama on departure, which is one of the most visually striking urban-mountain combinations visible from any commercial flight anywhere. The Amsterdam arrival on the left is pleasant but the flat Dutch landscape is less spectacular. Right wins on the strength of the Cape Town departure alone.
Flight Path
The route tracks north over the Kalahari and Namibian desert, crosses the Congo Basin rainforest (a vast dark green canopy visible from altitude), passes over the Gulf of Guinea and West African coastline near Nigeria or Cameroon, then crosses the Sahara Desert with its distinctive sand seas and rocky hamadas, before crossing the Mediterranean near Tunisia or Libya, transiting southern Europe over Italy or France, and descending into the Netherlands over the North Sea coast
Great circle distance and headings ›
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from CPT
RIGHTCape Town International's primary departure runway 01 sends aircraft northward, putting Table Mountain, the Cape Peninsula, and the Atlantic seaboard on the right side. You get a direct broadside view of the flat-topped massif and the city bowl below it as you climb out over the Cape Flats.
Landing at AMS
LEFTSchiphol's most common landing approach on runway 18R or 06 brings aircraft in from the north or east over the Dutch polder landscape. Sitting left gives you views over Amsterdam's canal ring, the IJ waterway, and the characteristic flat green polder fields with their drainage ditches as you descend.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Cape Town International (CPT) to Schiphol (AMS)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Cape Town to Amsterdam. The right seat delivers the dramatic Table Mountain and Cape Peninsula panorama on departure, which is one of the most visually striking urban-mountain combinations visible from any commercial flight anywhere. The Amsterdam arrival on the left is pleasant but the flat Dutch landscape is less spectacular. Right wins on the strength of the Cape Town departure alone.
What can I see during takeoff from Cape Town International in Cape Town?
During takeoff from Cape Town International (CPT), sit on the Right side for the best views. Cape Town International's primary departure runway 01 sends aircraft northward, putting Table Mountain, the Cape Peninsula, and the Atlantic seaboard on the right side. You get a direct broadside view of the flat-topped massif and the city bowl below it as you climb out over the Cape Flats. Notable sights include: Table Mountain and its famous flat summit, the Cape Town city bowl and waterfront, Robben Island in Table Bay, the Twelve Apostles ridge running south along the Atlantic coast.
What can I see when landing at Schiphol in Amsterdam?
When landing at Schiphol (AMS), sit on the Left side for the best views. Schiphol's most common landing approach on runway 18R or 06 brings aircraft in from the north or east over the Dutch polder landscape. Sitting left gives you views over Amsterdam's canal ring, the IJ waterway, and the characteristic flat green polder fields with their drainage ditches as you descend. Notable sights include: Amsterdam canal ring and city center, the IJ waterway and Amsterdam harbour, flat green polder fields of North Holland, Haarlem visible to the west.
How long is the flight from Cape Town to Amsterdam?
The flight from Cape Town International (CPT) to Schiphol (AMS) takes Approximately 11 to 12 hours.
What does the Cape Town to Amsterdam flight path pass over?
The route tracks north over the Kalahari and Namibian desert, crosses the Congo Basin rainforest (a vast dark green canopy visible from altitude), passes over the Gulf of Guinea and West African coastline near Nigeria or Cameroon, then crosses the Sahara Desert with its distinctive sand seas and rocky hamadas, before crossing the Mediterranean near Tunisia or Libya, transiting southern Europe over Italy or France, and descending into the Netherlands over the North Sea coast