The great-circle routing north through East Africa and up toward Europe keeps the aircraft's left (west) side facing the dramatic interior terrain—Rift Valley escarpments, Ethiopian highlands, and the Nile corridor slicing through the Sahara—while the right side mostly overlooks open ocean and later the featureless Mediterranean haze.
Flown DUR to GLA? Did we get it right?
Flight Path
Durban to Glasgow is 6,267 miles (10,085 km), a flight of about 12 hours 45 minutes.
The route crosses the Great Rift Valley highlands of Kenya and Ethiopia, follows the Nile River valley through Sudan and Egypt, crosses the eastern Mediterranean Sea, then passes over southern Europe before reaching the British Isles.
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Phase by phase
Takeoff from DUR
RIGHTDeparting Durban on the favored runway 24 southwest-facing config, the aircraft banks out over the Indian Ocean before turning north, giving right-side passengers a sweeping view of Durban's beachfront, the harbor entrance, and the Bluff headland as the coast falls away.
Landing at GLA
LEFTOn approach to Glasgow's runway 23 from the northeast, the aircraft descends over the Scottish Lowlands, and left-side passengers get views of the rolling Campsie Fells and the edge of the Trossachs hills before the flat Clyde valley and city appear ahead.
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from King Shaka International Airport (DUR) to Glasgow (GLA)?
Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Durban to Glasgow. The great-circle routing north through East Africa and up toward Europe keeps the aircraft's left (west) side facing the dramatic interior terrain—Rift Valley escarpments, Ethiopian highlands, and the Nile corridor slicing through the Sahara—while the right side mostly overlooks open ocean and later the featureless Mediterranean haze.
What can I see during takeoff from King Shaka International Airport in Durban?
During takeoff from King Shaka International Airport (DUR), sit on the Right side for the best views. Departing Durban on the favored runway 24 southwest-facing config, the aircraft banks out over the Indian Ocean before turning north, giving right-side passengers a sweeping view of Durban's beachfront, the harbor entrance, and the Bluff headland as the coast falls away. Notable sights include: Durban harbor and Bluff headland, Golden Mile beachfront, Indian Ocean coastline, uMngeni River mouth.
What can I see when landing at Glasgow in Glasgow?
When landing at Glasgow (GLA), sit on the Left side for the best views. On approach to Glasgow's runway 23 from the northeast, the aircraft descends over the Scottish Lowlands, and left-side passengers get views of the rolling Campsie Fells and the edge of the Trossachs hills before the flat Clyde valley and city appear ahead. Notable sights include: Campsie Fells, edge of the Trossachs highlands, River Clyde valley, patchwork farmland of the Lowlands.
How long is the flight from Durban to Glasgow?
The flight from King Shaka International Airport (DUR) to Glasgow (GLA) takes about 12 hours 45 minutes. The shortest flight path between them is 6,267 miles (10,085 km); winds and air traffic control usually add a few percent.
What does the Durban to Glasgow flight path pass over?
The route crosses the Great Rift Valley highlands of Kenya and Ethiopia, follows the Nile River valley through Sudan and Egypt, crosses the eastern Mediterranean Sea, then passes over southern Europe before reaching the British Isles.