The left side wins on both ends of the flight: it captures Cape Town's iconic Table Mountain and coastline on departure, and the Magaliesberg range on arrival into Lanseria, while the right side offers comparatively flat, featureless terrain during both phases and over the Karoo cruise.
Flown CPT to HLA? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Cape Town to Johannesburg is 786 miles (1,266 km), a flight of about 1 hour 55 minutes.
Great Karoo semi-desert plains, the Great Escarpment foothills, and the high veld grasslands of the Free State beneath the cruise track
Great circle distance and headings ›
Phase by phase
Takeoff from CPT
LEFTDeparting CPT on runway 01, the climb-out tracks north over Table Bay before banking right toward Johannesburg, putting Table Mountain, the City Bowl, and Robben Island squarely on the left side of the aircraft. The right side only shows the flat, less distinctive Cape Flats suburbs during this turn.
Landing at HLA
LEFTOn approach into Lanseria from the south, the aircraft crosses the Magaliesberg range and the northwestern edge of the Johannesburg metro before turning onto final for runway 25 or 07. The Magaliesberg ridgeline and the wooded Cradle of Humankind area are visible on the left, while the right side mostly shows flat bushveld with less definition.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Cape Town International (CPT) to Lanseria (HLA)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Cape Town to Johannesburg. The left side wins on both ends of the flight: it captures Cape Town's iconic Table Mountain and coastline on departure, and the Magaliesberg range on arrival into Lanseria, while the right side offers comparatively flat, featureless terrain during both phases and over the Karoo cruise.
What can I see during takeoff from Cape Town International in Cape Town?
During takeoff from Cape Town International (CPT), sit on the Left side for the best views. Departing CPT on runway 01, the climb-out tracks north over Table Bay before banking right toward Johannesburg, putting Table Mountain, the City Bowl, and Robben Island squarely on the left side of the aircraft. The right side only shows the flat, less distinctive Cape Flats suburbs during this turn. Notable sights include: Table Mountain, Table Bay and Robben Island, Cape Town City Bowl, Lion's Head.
What can I see when landing at Lanseria in Johannesburg?
When landing at Lanseria (HLA), sit on the Left side for the best views. On approach into Lanseria from the south, the aircraft crosses the Magaliesberg range and the northwestern edge of the Johannesburg metro before turning onto final for runway 25 or 07. The Magaliesberg ridgeline and the wooded Cradle of Humankind area are visible on the left, while the right side mostly shows flat bushveld with less definition. Notable sights include: Magaliesberg mountain range, Cradle of Humankind valley, Hartbeespoort Dam glint in the distance, northern Johannesburg suburbs.
How long is the flight from Cape Town to Johannesburg?
The flight from Cape Town International (CPT) to Lanseria (HLA) takes about 1 hour 55 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 786 miles (1,266 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Cape Town to Johannesburg flight path pass over?
Great Karoo semi-desert plains, the Great Escarpment foothills, and the high veld grasslands of the Free State beneath the cruise track